Abstract
Evaluation has been beset with serious divisions, including the paradigm wars and the seeming segmentation of evaluation practice into distinct evaluation theories and approaches. In this paper, we describe key aspects of an integrative framework that may help evaluators move beyond such divisions. We offer a new scheme for categorizing evaluation methods within four inquiry modes, which are "families" or clusters of methods: description, classification, causal analysis, and values inquiry. In addition, we briefly describe a set of alternative evaluation purposes. We argue that, together with a form of realist philosophy, the framework of inquiry modes and evaluation purposes (1) provides a common lexicon for evaluators, which may help the field in moving beyond past divisions, and (2) offers a useful approach to evaluation planning.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 177-198 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | American Journal of Evaluation |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1999 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Business and International Management
- Social Psychology
- Health(social science)
- Education
- Sociology and Political Science
- Strategy and Management