Category Archives: Research

The End of the Career as a Stage in Life?

I’ve had several conversations and read several pieces across the web on changing careers, preparing for retirement, and generally, what we’re supposed to be doing with our working lives.  I’m an intern and full time PhD student, so I’m still … Continue reading

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2N Analytics – Why More Data is Never Enough

The fervor over big data has largely focused on the number of data points now at our disposal by which ever-more specific and powerful analytic insights can be made. But managing the amount of computations is not the biggest challenge.  … Continue reading

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Doing Program Evaluation Scientifically

I was inspired to write this post after reflecting on James Boutin’s series of posts critiquing the construction and use of data in schools.  There are a lot of ways to screw up evaluations, beginning with misguided initial theories, terrible … Continue reading

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The Diminishing Power of the Public, Part 1: Nonprofits as Privatization

This is the first in a series of posts on privatization, the decline of public power, and its implications for democracy and the provision of public and social goods. A common argument among globalization’s flattening earth theorists is the assertion … Continue reading

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DonorsChoose Supplement Part 3: Market Corrections

Note: In preparation for the results announcement by DonorsChoose, this series is meant to carve up different issues raised by my work on the DonorsChoose Data and address them directly and more fully.  You can find the original announcement and … Continue reading

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Business, Civics, and Entrepreneurship

My research and engagement in the Chicago community seem to be converging on a nexus embedding business and civil society, or the economic and nonprofit sectors.  In the academy, this research is emerging around the concepts of social capital/social networks, … Continue reading

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