purposes of evaluation

1. Evaluation as an audit tool for accountability: measurement of results, appropriateness, efficiency.

2. Evaluation as a tool for development: program improvement, capacity building, network creation, social cohesion, and social capital.

3. Evaluation for knowledge creation: developing a better understanding in some area. Developing local knowledge that is needed for local development, and possible transfer of local knowledge.

Reference: Chelimsky E. (1997). Thoughts for a new evaluation society. Evaluation, 3(1), 97-109.

guidelines for conducting evaluations

Program Evaluation Standards (developed by the American Evaluation Society):

Utility - The utility standards are intended to ensure that an evaluation will serve the information needs of intended users.

Feasibility - The feasibility standards are intended to ensure that an evaluation will be realistic, prudent, diplomatic, and frugal.

Propriety - The propriety standards are intended to ensure that an evaluation will be conducted legally, ethically, and with due regard for the welfare of those involved in the evaluation, as well as those affected by its results.

Accuracy - The accuracy standards are intended to ensure that an evaluation will reveal and convey technically adequate information about the features that determine worth or merit of the program being evaluated.

Guiding Principles for Evaluators
The Australasian Evaluation Society Ethics Committee has developed 'Guidelines for the Ethical Conduct of Evaluations'. The Guidelines refer to three main stages of program evaluation: commissioning and preparing, conducting, and reporting. They can be downloaded in a PDF or Word format.

Glossary of terms:

• The Evaluation Center's Glossary of Evaluation Terms
• BJA Evaluation Website Glossary