Ep. 2: Michael Quinn Patton "How to Act on/and Make Sense of Evidence"

In this Knowledge Series Interview, Michael Q. Patton, a trailblazer in the evaluation field and Founder and CEO of Utilization-Focused Evaluation, discusses the critical importance of interpretive capacity over mere data accuracy. With over five decades of experience and several influential books to his name, Patton emphasizes that the ability to interpret environmental contexts is more crucial than just having accurate knowledge. He argues that high-performing organizations excel due to their capacity for meaningful interpretation, which aids in making sound judgments.
Patton delves into evaluative thinking, highlighting its transdisciplinary nature, the pitfalls of bureaucratic compliance, and the necessity of timely decision-making. He advocates for a global, interconnected perspective on evaluation, stressing that deep thinking and a commitment to understanding context are essential. Evaluators, he contends, should act as facilitators of interpretation, fostering learning and informed decision-making beyond mere report generation.

See also the video interview here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG366E4Mgf7-3nOd-Dh0Bto1IZFiU6Ax6
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