The manifestations of politics in evaluation: An exploratory study across the evaluation process |
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| Institution: | 1. University of California, Santa Barbara, United States;2. University of Wisconsin-Stout, United States;3. Claremont Graduate University, United States;1. Management and Innovation Systems Department, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy;2. Department of Management, Finance and Technology, LUM Jean Monnet University, S.S. 100 Km 18, 7010 Casamassima, BA, Italy;1. American Institutes for Research, United States;2. Character Development Learning Institute, YMCA of the USA Sarah Hodgman, United States;1. MEASURE Evaluation, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States;2. Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States;3. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States;4. Public Health Leadership Program, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States;5. Carolina Health Informatics Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States |
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| Abstract: | Evaluation has been described as a political act. Programs and policies are generated from a political process, and the decision to evaluate and how to use the evaluation are manifestations of the political dynamic. This exploratory study was conducted with practicing evaluators to understand what they view as political situations in the evaluation process and how they responded to these situations. Findings suggest that, in relation to the potential evaluation phases in which each respondent has been involved, evaluations are susceptible to politics when initially attempting to identify stakeholders and when it’s time to report the evaluation findings. Evaluators have also developed multiple strategies for dealing with these situations, including finding allies for the evaluation and working to explain the evaluation process and its implications. We hope that this study will help to inform novice and expert evaluators about the various political situations they may encounter in their practice. |
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| Keywords: | Politics in evaluation Random assignment Research on evaluation Thematic coding Evaluation process Response to politics Exploratory study |
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