Evaluation and Research
rThe CANADIENNE 'ÉVALUATION DE PROGRAMME LA REVUECanadian Journal ofDProgram Evaluation Vol. 18 No. 2 Pages 1–31
ISSN 0834-1516 Copyright © 2003 Canadian Evaluation Society
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EVALUATION AND RESEARCH: DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
Miri Levin-Rozalis Department of Education Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel
Abstract:
This article discusses the similarities and dissimilarities between research and evaluation, which are two clearly differentiated disciplines despite their similarity in concepts, tools, and methods. The purpose of research is to enlarge the body of scientific knowledge; the purpose of evaluation is to provide useful feedback to program managers and entrepreneurs. In this article I examine the central characteristics of research and evaluation (validity, generalization, theory and hypotheses, relevance, and causality) and the different roles those characteristics play in each. I discuss the different functions of evaluation and research, and propose some criteria for fulfilling the different demands of evaluation and research. And I argue that the constant pressure to examine evaluations by the criteria of research prevents evaluation from becoming an independent discipline and delays the development of standards and criteria that are useful to evaluators. Le présent article discute des similarités et des différences entre la recherche et l’évaluation — deux disciplines clairement distinctes malgré la similarité de leurs concepts, outils et méthodes. La recherche a pour but d’enrichir le bloc de connaissances scientifiques, et l’évaluation a pour but de fournir une rétroaction utile aux gestionnaires de programmes et aux entrepreneurs. Dans cet article, j’examine les principales caractéristiques (validité, généralisation, théorie et hypothèses, pertinence et causalité) et les différents rôles qu’elles jouent dans l’évaluation et la recherche. Je discute des différentes fonctions de l’évaluation et de la recherche, et je
ISSN 0834-1516 Copyright © 2003 Canadian Evaluation Society
1
EVALUATION AND RESEARCH: DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
Miri Levin-Rozalis Department of Education Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel
Abstract:
This article discusses the similarities and dissimilarities between research and evaluation, which are two clearly differentiated disciplines despite their similarity in concepts, tools, and methods. The purpose of research is to enlarge the body of scientific knowledge; the purpose of evaluation is to provide useful feedback to program managers and entrepreneurs. In this article I examine the central characteristics of research and evaluation (validity, generalization, theory and hypotheses, relevance, and causality) and the different roles those characteristics play in each. I discuss the different functions of evaluation and research, and propose some criteria for fulfilling the different demands of evaluation and research. And I argue that the constant pressure to examine evaluations by the criteria of research prevents evaluation from becoming an independent discipline and delays the development of standards and criteria that are useful to evaluators. Le présent article discute des similarités et des différences entre la recherche et l’évaluation — deux disciplines clairement distinctes malgré la similarité de leurs concepts, outils et méthodes. La recherche a pour but d’enrichir le bloc de connaissances scientifiques, et l’évaluation a pour but de fournir une rétroaction utile aux gestionnaires de programmes et aux entrepreneurs. Dans cet article, j’examine les principales caractéristiques (validité, généralisation, théorie et hypothèses, pertinence et causalité) et les différents rôles qu’elles jouent dans l’évaluation et la recherche. Je discute des différentes fonctions de l’évaluation et de la recherche, et je