Evaluators’ Perspectives on Research on Evaluation: Fid-Bau Portal

Evaluators’ Perspectives on Research on Evaluation

Lewis, Nicole R. / Harrison, George M. / Ah Sam, Anna F. / Brandon, Paul R.

AbstractProgram evaluators are giving increasing attention to research on evaluation (RoE), but little is known about their perceptions of RoE. In this chapter, we report the methods and results of a questionnaire survey that drew from the Theory of Planned Behavior and addressed a broad swath of evaluators’ attitudes toward, beliefs about, and knowledge of RoE; time and opportunities to participate in RoE; application of RoE findings; and involvement in RoE. The results show that evaluators (a) believe RoE is important, (b) report a moderate degree of access and opportunities to read or use the RoE literature, (c) have little time and few opportunities to conduct RoE, (d) report knowing enough about RoE to attend presentations but lack the knowledge to conduct RoE, and (e) describe little involvement in conducting RoE. University faculty, those with doctorates, and those with an advanced level of understanding of evaluation report the greatest participation in RoE. These results confirm our sense of current perceptions about evaluators’ participation in various RoE activities and set the stage for developing steps to encourage RoE in its various manifestations.