Which Evaluation Methodology When? A Contingency Approach to Evaluation

In the light of a project being undertaken by the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS) and Hull University, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, this paper seeks to show how an appropriate choice of evaluation methodology can be made by an organisation. To achieve this aim, the paper presents an analysis of the theoretical underpinnings of four types of evaluation and formulates a system of evaluation methodologies showing in what circumstances each may be most appropriately applied.