Evaluation: Manifestations of a new field

An examination of three characteristics of evaluation reveals significant divisions of opinion, suggesting that it is premature to seek a defining conceptual framework for this still evolving field. Therefore an alternative approach toward understanding evaluation is followed: empirical manifestations of the history and current state of evaluation are examined for evidence of growth and integration.A review of the history of evaluation suggests four causes for its recent growth: new accountability requirements, greater interest among social scientists in social relevance, a scarcity of resources for the traditional social sciences, and an expansion of methods useful for research in applied settings.Three empirical signs of the new field are described: the concepts and strategies employed in evaluation efforts, the discipline of practicing evaluators, and dissemination of evaluation information. The conclusions suggest that there are both signs of cohesiueness and immaturity in the current state of evaluation.