Research on Evaluation SIG Business Meeting. What Is Research on Evaluation? What Do We Do With It? What Makes It Credible?

Session Type: Business Meeting

Abstract

Discussions about ROE can cover topics that range from questions of what and why we evaluate to how we do it. Seldom, however, do we take time to recognize and critique specific research that has contributed to building theory or improving practice, asking ourselves why we judged the research credible. Drawing on her experience as Editor of the American Journal of Evaluation, and on her experiences as practitioner, teacher, and researcher, Rallis will analyze and critique various types of ROE and their contributions to theory and practice, with focus on their coherence, the evidence in which they are grounded, and their ethical soundness. We will also jointly reflect on specific ROE that has shaped evaluative approaches or informed practice.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Research on Evaluation

Chair

• Jennifer Randall, University of Massachusetts

Papers

• What Exactly Is Research on Evaluation? What Do We Do With It? What Makes It Credible? - Sharon F. Rallis, University of Massachusetts - Amherst