The Method to Our Madness

The Method to Our Madness

By staceymerolaScienceSocial Sciences
Download on the App Store

The Method to Our Madness episodes

  • Residuals, Red Flags, and Reality: Lessons in Evaluation Management

    In Episode 13 of The Method to Our Madness Podcast, we sit down with evaluation management expert Kirk Knestis to unpack the real-world challenges of managing evaluation firms and projects—and how to handle them like a pro.

    From avoiding scope creep to setting up airtight quality assurance processes, Kirk shares practical strategies that can make or break an evaluation project. He dives into why separating study protocols from contracts is essential, how to establish clear expectations with clients, and what it really takes to run evaluation work as a sustainable business.

    Through two cautionary “horror stories,” Kirk reveals common pitfalls—from misaligned reporting expectations to misunderstandings of statistical results—that can be problematic for even the most well-designed evaluations.

    Whether you’re leading projects, managing teams, or transitioning into independent consulting, this episode offers essential lessons on protecting your work, maintaining flexibility, and navigating client relationships with confidence.

    A longer summary of the episode can be found at Episode 13 Notes. 

    Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork designed and created by Zoe Targino. 

     

    39 min
  • Training Tomorrow’s Evaluators in a Changing World

    What does it take to prepare the next generation of evaluators to meet the challenges of a changing world? This episode dives into the shifting demands on the field, from federal funding uncertainty to the growing influence of AI tools, and the skills future evaluators will need to rise to the challenges. Our guests from the University of Minnesota discuss how future evaluators should be trained to think systemically, challenge assumptions, and act as collaborative problem-solvers, as well as possibly be prepared for an employment model based on project work, rather than extended tenure at one organization. Whether you're in education, public policy, or nonprofit work, this conversation offers timely insight into how evaluation is being redefined for the future.
     
    Our guests this week from the University of Minnesota are:
    John Hitchcock, Ph.D., Professor of Evaluation Studies and Marilyn Sime Professor for Educational Excellence, [email protected]
    Jodi Benenson, Ph.D., Associate professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development in the College of Education and Human Development, [email protected]
    Stuart Yeh, Ph.D., Professor and Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Evaluation Studies, [email protected]
     
    We cover a lot of topics in this episode, so if desired, a written summary can be found here: Episode 12 summary
     
    Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino. 

     

    48 min
  • Logic Models: Keeping them Simple, Useful, and Dynamic

     

    Logic models don’t have to be complicated or static. In this conversation with guest Deborah Levy, Stacey and Bill discuss why simplicity matters, how logic models should evolve over time, and what happens when programs face unexpected challenges like shifting audiences or external disruptions. The episode also offers practical tips for engaging stakeholders, collecting data, and using logic models as living tools throughout an evaluation. 

     

    Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino. 

    33 min
  • The Practice and Judgement Behind Measuring Fidelity of Implementation

    Fidelity of implementation is often talked about but rarely understood. In Episode 10 of The Method to Our Madness, Allan Porowski, Principal Associate at Abt Global, brings clarity to this critical concept in program evaluation. Drawing on years of experience and large‑scale evaluation work, Allan explains why fidelity metrics must be tailored to each program, how planned‑offered‑received frameworks reveal meaningful variation, and why imperfect implementation can still drive valuable insight. This episode offers practical wisdom for evaluators seeking to interpret results with context, nuance, and purpose.
     
    Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino.  

     

    33 min
  • Keeping Statistics Useful: From Descriptive Data to Meaningful Impact

    In this episode of The Method to Our Madness, Stacey and Bill unpack the different types of statistics commonly used in program evaluation—and why “simple” doesn’t mean unsophisticated. They explore how evaluators balance accessibility with rigor, discussing when descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA are the right tools, and when more advanced methods like hierarchical linear modeling or propensity score matching make sense. Along the way, they dig into the hidden complexity behind clean-looking results, the limits of common data visualization tools, and why effect sizes often matter more than p-values. Drawing on real research experiences, disciplinary perspectives from sociology and psychology, and lessons learned from both practice and academia, this conversation highlights what it really takes to produce statistical findings that are both credible and useful. The episode wraps up with a reflection on communicating results clearly—and an open invitation for listeners to suggest future topics they’d like to explore in greater depth.
     
    Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino. 

     

    39 min
  • Different Types of Evaluation

    What’s the difference between formative, process, outcome, and impact evaluation? When should you actually use each one? In this episode, Stacey and Bill break down the why and when of evaluation, drawing on real-world examples from education, training programs, and policy work. They talk implementation fidelity, stakeholder engagement, logic models, and why not every evaluation is about proving causality. The takeaway: good evaluation is about learning, improvement, and usefulness—not just measurement.

     

    Music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino. 

    36 min
  • Smarter Bids, Better Wins: Business Development That Works

    In this episode of The Method to Our Madness Podcast, we sit down with Rebecca Pitkow, a business development consultant with over 20 years of experience, to break down what actually works in proposal writing and procurement strategy. 

    We dive into how to identify the right opportunities early, avoid aspirational bidding, and use “gates” as decision points to save time, money, and energy. Rebecca explains how proactive forecasting, realistic capability assessments, and early disqualifications can dramatically improve win rates—especially in today’s tight fiscal environment. 

    The conversation also covers proposal color reviews (Pink Team through White Glove), building strong win themes and distinguishers, and conducting gap analyses to determine whether you should be a prime or a partner on a bid. Rebecca shares actionable advice on scaling proposal processes, developing reusable templates, and using post-mortem reviews to continuously improve.

    We wrap up with practical guidance on cold calling, relationship-building, and managing micro-procurements efficiently—plus how small businesses can bring discipline and structure to their proposal efforts. Rebecca closes by sharing how her consulting services help organizations build smarter, more effective proposal processes. If you want help with your business development methodology, can reach out to Rebecca directly at: [email protected].

    Podcast music by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino. 

     

    31 min
  • How to Get the Most Out of Attending Academic and Professional Conferences

    Ever gone to a conference for the free swag and accidentally left with a career‑changing conversation? From data‑themed outfits to awkwardly empty presentation rooms, Stacey and Bill swap stories about how to get the most out of your conference experience. Drawing on years of attending, presenting at, and navigating professional and academic conferences across evaluation, psychology, sociology, and research spaces, Stacey and Bill share honest reflections about what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known sooner.

    In this episode, they cover:

    • Why people go to conferences in the first place
    • How networking leads to jobs and collaborations
    • Big conferences vs. small ones, and which might be better for you
    • Simple ways to be more approachable (and memorable)
    • The highs and lows of presenting, from packed rooms to empty ones
    • How location, planning, and conference structure shape the experience

      • Episode takeaways:

      • Conferences are most valuable when you’re intentional about why you’re attending.
      • Smaller or regional conferences often lead to more meaningful conversations.
      • Being prepared—and approachable—can open unexpected doors.
      • Not every presentation will be a hit, and that’s okay.
      • Serendipity plays a bigger role than most people expect.

        • Links to organizations and conferences mentioned in this episode:

        • American Evaluation Association (AEA): https://www.eval.org/
        • American Psychological Association (APA): https://convention.apa.org/
        • Eastern Evaluation Research Society (EERS): https://www.eers.org/
        • Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP): https://www.siop.org/events/the-annual-conference/
        • Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness (SREE): https://www.sree.org/2026-conference
        • Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA): https://mmira.wildapricot.org/australia2026

          • Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork was created by Zoe Targino. 

          40 min
        • Introduction to Using Mixed Methods in Research

          Episode 05:  Mixed methods with special guest John Hitchcock

          Have you ever wanted to know about using mixed methods in your research? Check out our latest podcast on mixed methods and the paradigm wars in program evaluation for a discussion about what mixed methods is and is not with special guest John Hitchcock, Marilyn Sime Professor for Educational Excellence at the University of Minnesota. 

          John Hitchcock, a colleague of both Stacey and Bill, has published extensively on the topic mixed methods research. He explains what mixed methods is and is not in the world of evaluation research, shares examples from his work and collaborations with other leaders in the field and answers our questions about the topic. 

          Below are resources referenced by John and additional information on colleagues and concepts discussed in this episode. 

          1. Burke Johnson
            • Google Scholar page
            • Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come (2004)
              • Article co-written with Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie

                • Anthony (Tony) J. Onwuegbuzie

                • University of Cambridge faculty bio

                  • Paradigm shift

                  • Popularized by Thomas Kuhn in 
                  • The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962; Wikipedia article)

                    • John W. Creswell and Vicki L. Plano Clarn

                    • Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (Sage College Publishing)

                      • Michael Fetters

                      • Bio (Michigan Mixed Methods Program)
                      • The Mixed Methods Research Workbook (Sage Publications)

                        • Bonnie MacDougall

                        • Sri Lankan village life (Cornell Chronicle, July 17, 2018)

                          • Visit us on

                          • show website: https://themethodtoourmadness.podbean.com/
                          • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/methodtoourmadnesspodcast/

                            • Podcast music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork by Zoe Targino.

                            33 min
                          • Research Ethics, Human Subjects Protections, and the Belmont Report

                            In this podcast episode we discuss the principles that guide the protection of human subjects in medical and behavioral research by reviewing one of the seminal pieces on the subject, The Belmont Report. We also explore human subjects' protections in the context of current technological innovations. Notes related to the episode can be found here. Music written and produced by Stacey Merola. Podcast artwork was created by Zoe Targino. 

                            25 min

                          About The Method to Our Madness

                          From the publisher's feed

                          The Method to Our Madness is a podcast that explores the art, ethics, and impact of research and evaluation. Hosted by award-winning evaluator and musician Dr. Stacey Merola, and…