The Tellado case study exercise: A metacritique

This paper provides an overview and critique of the papers in the Tellado Case Study Exercise. Two main themes are found in the critiques: the belief that Tellado lacked a clear audience for his evaluation and that he lacked an appropriate change orientation that would insure utilization. The sources of these criticisms are discussed from the perspective of evaluation as a linkage activity. The use of this perspective leads to the recognition that all parties to the case study may have focused on the wrong stakeholders in the utilization process. Thus, a major problem with utilization-focused and stakeholder based approaches to evaluation is revealed. Possible ways to avoid this problem are discussed. The paper concludes with a request for additional case studies to be contributed to the journal.