initialcontroversy

INITIAL CONTROVERSY

The introduction of Empowerment Evaluation to the field was both exhilerating and tumultuous. We did not anticipate either the flurry of excitement or the stormy seas resulting from the introduction of this approach. In an echo of Prospero's blessing to Miranda in The Tempest, this experience has brought both calm seas and auspicious gales. We are deeply appreciative of our colleagues, both for and against this approach, who have taken the time to engage in this important dialogue. Early supportive reviews are presented below.

For a list of critiques by Patton, Scriven, Sechrest, Stufflebeam and a response by Fetterman, select "The Debate".

Authors Early Supportive Reviews

Altman Altman presents an insightful review of empowerment evaluation. A few excerpts are provided below. A complete text of his review is available at: Altman.

Fetterman lays the groundwork for the book in an excellent introductory chapter on theory and practice. If you're short on time, you can read this 40+ page chapter and for the most part get a good sense of what empowerment evaluation is, and how it might be useful. Fetterman defined empowerment evaluation as "the use of evaluation concepts, techniques, and findings to foster improvement and self-determination...[it] has an unambiguous value orientation --it is designed to help people help themselves and improve their programs using a form of self-evaluation and reflection (pp. 4-5).

The community psychology audience would resonate with this perspective given that the intellectual and philosophical roots of community psychology emanate in part from these very values. This then begs the question, "so what's unique about empowerment evaluation?" First, mainstream evaluation is not as likely as community psychology to ascribe to these values. Indeed, the methodological purist might argue that empowerment evaluation compromises scientific objectivity. Thus, this is an important book for the evaluation community to read. Second, the book is a treatise on the topic as it includes 16 chapters on both theory and practice, and includes tools, forms, and checklists. As such, the book will be of interest to theoreticians as well as individuals working on the front-lines. The book's comprehensive approach is an added benefit. Third, noted leaders in community psychology have contributed chapters (e.g., Steve Fawcett, Jean Ann Linney, Roger Mitchell, Paul Florin) and Abe Wandersman is a co-editor, thus making the book even more relevant to the interests of community psychologists. Finally, the chapters illustrate the use of empowerment in a diverse array of settings, from school classrooms to community organizations to philanthropies to government. Anyone who doubts the widespread applicability of empowerment should read this book.....In the concluding chapter, Fetterman writes: "I believe that evaluation is basic -- like reading, writing, and arithmetic. I believe that evaluation should be a fundamental skill, an integral part of any educated citizen's repertoire. I also believe that anyone can learn the basic skills of evaluation...We need every tool we can find to respond to the pressing social and environmental problems we face (p. 383)". To this I say, "right on!" "Let's get to work."

Brown A few excerpts from Brown's review provides an insight into his views and the context influencing the introduction of empowerment evaluation to the field. A complete text is available at: Brown.

When the concept of empowerment evaluation served as the theme of the 1993 annual meeting of the American Evaluation Association, the stage was set for a debate on the essential purpose and utility of program evaluation....nearly four years later, empowerment evaluation persists as a special alternative to the set of more conventional program evaluation methodologies. What was all the fuss about? David Fetterman's 1993 presidential address on empowerment evaluation outlined a whole new way of looking at program evaluation, focusing on participatory management and assessment of programs for the purpose of fostering improvement and self-determination.

...the purpose of empowerment evaluation is not simply to empirically estimate a program's worth but to develop skills needed for ongoing self-assessment, so that evaluation itself is institutionalized and made sustainable at the program level. As such, evaluation becomes a means of achieving organizational strength and renewal, effectively turning the classic definition of evaluation--an object of interest is compared against a standard of acceptability--on its head.

Wild Timothy Wild's review of Fetterman, D.M., Kaftarian, S.J., and Wandersman's book Empowerment Evaluation: Knowledge and Tools for Self-assessment and Accountability concludes:

this is a significant addition to the library of evaluation, and the writers should be congratulated for bringing together such a solid collection. Fetterman et al. have nailed their theses to the door of the cathedral. Now the question is, How tolerant is the establishment of dissent? (Wild, p. 172.)

The complete review is available by selecting Wild.

(select sample)

Authors	Early Supportive Reviews

Altman	Altman presents an insightful review of empowerment evaluation. A few excerpts are provided below. A complete text of his review is available at: Altman. Fetterman lays the groundwork for the book in an excellent introductory chapter on theory and practice. If you're short on time, you can read this 40+ page chapter and for the most part get a good sense of what empowerment evaluation is, and how it might be useful. Fetterman defined empowerment evaluation as "the use of evaluation concepts, techniques, and findings to foster improvement and self-determination...[it] has an unambiguous value orientation --it is designed to help people help themselves and improve their programs using a form of self-evaluation and reflection (pp. 4-5). The community psychology audience would resonate with this perspective given that the intellectual and philosophical roots of community psychology emanate in part from these very values. This then begs the question, "so what's unique about empowerment evaluation?" First, mainstream evaluation is not as likely as community psychology to ascribe to these values. Indeed, the methodological purist might argue that empowerment evaluation compromises scientific objectivity. Thus, this is an important book for the evaluation community to read. Second, the book is a treatise on the topic as it includes 16 chapters on both theory and practice, and includes tools, forms, and checklists. As such, the book will be of interest to theoreticians as well as individuals working on the front-lines. The book's comprehensive approach is an added benefit. Third, noted leaders in community psychology have contributed chapters (e.g., Steve Fawcett, Jean Ann Linney, Roger Mitchell, Paul Florin) and Abe Wandersman is a co-editor, thus making the book even more relevant to the interests of community psychologists. Finally, the chapters illustrate the use of empowerment in a diverse array of settings, from school classrooms to community organizations to philanthropies to government. Anyone who doubts the widespread applicability of empowerment should read this book.....In the concluding chapter, Fetterman writes: "I believe that evaluation is basic -- like reading, writing, and arithmetic. I believe that evaluation should be a fundamental skill, an integral part of any educated citizen's repertoire. I also believe that anyone can learn the basic skills of evaluation...We need every tool we can find to respond to the pressing social and environmental problems we face (p. 383)". To this I say, "right on!" "Let's get to work."
Brown	A few excerpts from Brown's review provides an insight into his views and the context influencing the introduction of empowerment evaluation to the field. A complete text is available at: Brown. When the concept of empowerment evaluation served as the theme of the 1993 annual meeting of the American Evaluation Association, the stage was set for a debate on the essential purpose and utility of program evaluation....nearly four years later, empowerment evaluation persists as a special alternative to the set of more conventional program evaluation methodologies. What was all the fuss about? David Fetterman's 1993 presidential address on empowerment evaluation outlined a whole new way of looking at program evaluation, focusing on participatory management and assessment of programs for the purpose of fostering improvement and self-determination. ...the purpose of empowerment evaluation is not simply to empirically estimate a program's worth but to develop skills needed for ongoing self-assessment, so that evaluation itself is institutionalized and made sustainable at the program level. As such, evaluation becomes a means of achieving organizational strength and renewal, effectively turning the classic definition of evaluation--an object of interest is compared against a standard of acceptability--on its head.
Wild	Timothy Wild's review of Fetterman, D.M., Kaftarian, S.J., and Wandersman's book Empowerment Evaluation: Knowledge and Tools for Self-assessment and Accountability concludes: this is a significant addition to the library of evaluation, and the writers should be congratulated for bringing together such a solid collection. Fetterman et al. have nailed their theses to the door of the cathedral. Now the question is, How tolerant is the establishment of dissent? (Wild, p. 172.) The complete review is available by selecting Wild.