Nick’s research focuses on the theory and methods of evaluation of educational and social programs, specifically on investigative methods in applied fields of inquiry. Smith has served on numerous editorial boards, including as past editor-in-chief of New Directions for Program Evaluation. He has also edited such volumes as Metaphors for Evaluation: Sources of New Methods; New Techniques for Evaluation; Communication Strategies in Evaluation; and Varieties of Investigative Evaluation. In 2004, he served as president of the American Evaluation Association.