Book Review: Reframing Evaluation through Appreciative Inquiry
| Author | Anona Armstrong |
| Published date | 01 March 2007 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1035719X0700700113 |
| Date | 01 March 2007 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
B O O K R E V I E W S
Title:
Reframing Evaluation through Appreciative Inquiry
Authors:
Hallie Preskill and Tessie Tzavaras Catsambas
Publisher:
Sage, Thousand Oaks, California
Publication
date: 2006
Extent/type:
170 pages, paperback
Price:
A$58.95 from Footprint Books which offers a 15% discount to AES members, phone (02) 9997 3973
ISBN:
1-4129-0951-1
‘As you refl ect on your
Inquiry, Imagine, Innovate
positive images and language,
experience with the program tell
and Implement. Inquiry begins
irrespective of the methodology
me a story about a highpoint.’
with paired interviews about
used to collect data. They illustrate
So begins an interview in an
successful experiences. The
this in descriptions of evaluations
evaluation using an appreciative
paired interviews allow the
using a variety of methods
inquiry framework. At fi rst
activities to begin in a non-
including focus groups, case
glance, this may not appear very
threatening and interesting way.
studies and surveys.
different to many evaluation
As they build a foundation for
I enjoyed the book. I found the
interviews. However, the aim of
determining activities that will
approach refreshing and useful.
the approach is to elicit stories
contribute to future success,
The structure of the book made
that remind people of what
they identify the priorities
the argument easy to follow. It
success looks and feels like. This
of participants, and those
introduced AI, how it could be
is the starting point to refl ect
aspects that may need further
used in evaluation, and supported
positively about what factors
exploration. Imagine is sharing
the argument with appropriate
need to be present to ensure
stories and dialogue on what
examples. Practitioners of
‘success’ for a program or project
might be. Innovate is more
evaluation, or any organisational
being evaluated.
adventurous: deciding what
change process, will fi nd the
The authors of Reframi...
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