Search results

AbstractThe author develops the basic idea of evaluation policy, describes a practical model for development and revision of evaluation policies (including a taxonomy, structure, and set of principles), and suggests critical challenges and opportunities for the future of evaluation policy. An evaluation policy is any rule or principle that a group or organization uses to guide its decisions and actions when doing evaluation. Every entity that engages in evaluation, including government agencies, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations, has evaluation policies. Sometimes they are explicit and written; more often they are implicit and ad hoc principles or norms that have simply evolved over time. Evaluation policies profoundly affect the day‐to‐day work of all evaluators and ultimately the quality of the programs they evaluate. Many recent and current controversies or conflicts in the field of evaluation can be viewed, at least in part, as a struggle around evaluation policy. Because evaluation policies typically apply across multiple evaluations, influencing policies directly may have systemic and far‐reaching effects for practice. Evaluation practice must play a critical role in informing and shaping the development of evaluation policies. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

AbstractEvolutionary Evaluation, Relational Developmental Systems Theory, and Systems Thinking are three broad foundational theoretical perspectives that characterize the shifting paradigm in contemporary evaluation. They are central to the development of Relational Systems Evaluation (RSE). From Evolutionary Evaluation, we focus on the variation and selection role of evaluation, as well as the notions of ontogeny, phylogeny, symbiosis, and co‐evolution. From Relational Developmental Systems Theory, we highlight how mutually beneficial bidirectional relations between a program and its environmental context can promote adaptive regulations. From Systems Thinking, we emphasize part–whole relationships, static and dynamic processes, the related concepts of scale and boundaries, multiple perspectives, and causal pathways. We propose that these theoretical elements—all of which are operationalized through RSE—can be transformative in our thinking about the next evolutionary stage for evaluation.

AbstractQuality control in the auditing profession has developed useful practices that are applicable to the research and evaluation process. By identifying and controlling sources of bias and noise in our system of inquiry, the quality of evaluative evidence can be enhanced for both present and future use.