Telling tales : on evaluation and narrative

One of the more interesting perspectives for evaluation is 'narrative'. Narratives are the common vehicles people use to understand and to communicate the value of their actions and social practices. Given the valuational and action-oriented character of narrative it seems strange that evaluators have not yet discovered its value. In this volume we, an international and multidisciplinary group of practising evaluators and policy analysts in various policy fields such as mental health, education, social welfare and water management, explore what a narrative perspective can mean for the practice of program evaluation. We do so by showing and telling.