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Abstract: This volume draws attention to the interdependence of evaluation and policy making, highlighting the complex interplay between (too often implicit) theoretical assumptions about reality and policies as well, and specific forms of knowledge with their technical devices. The rationale of this book is to critically examine the logic of reasoning underpinning the adoption of specific evaluative devices outlining how they construct and legitimize interpretations of truth and causal links be ...; [Read more...] This volume draws attention to the interdependence of evaluation and policy making, highlighting the complex interplay between (too often implicit) theoretical assumptions about reality and policies as well, and specific forms of knowledge with their technical devices. The rationale of this book is to critically examine the logic of reasoning underpinning the adoption of specific evaluative devices outlining how they construct and legitimize interpretations of truth and causal links between behaviour and events, and vice versa how they are effected by them. In this framework, the authors analyse specifically the experimental methods and performance analysis, with the aim of showing the conventional character of these devices, stressing the need of recovering that space for critical reflection on cognitive purposes and on the appropriateness of the methods to the contexts of inquir, without which scientific research, and the evaluation in particular, risks of losing not only its accuracy and rigor, but also the ability to prompt circuits of reflexivity that may improve policies.

Abstract: Il volume offre gli strumenti più aggiornati per uno studio efficace delle politiche pubbliche nel nostro paese. Attraverso il contributo di esperti nelle varie materie considerate, vengono illustrate le caratteristiche e la portata del policy change (in termini di cambiamenti dei processi e della performance) avvenuto nei 25 anni della cosiddetta "seconda repubblica".