Research to Build a Discipline of Evaluation

• In Event: Research on Evaluation SIG Business Meeting: Guest Speaker Dr. Nick L. Smith, Syracuse University

Abstract

In response to the pressing need to build an effective evaluation profession, most past research on evaluation has focused on constructing an actionable knowledge base of immediate use to evaluation practitioners. While these studies of evaluation method and practice, and to a lesser extent theory and the profession, have contributed to the profession of evaluation, the development of a more fundamental knowledge base to build a discipline of evaluation has yet to receive as much attention. Dr. Smith’s paper presents a case for research to support a discipline of evaluation, illustrated with selected examples.

Author

• Nick L. Smith, Syracuse University