Defining Evaluation discipline

MONITORINe EVALUATION Definition: Definition: Systematic gathering and analysis of data that allows to make systematic value judgements Continuos and regular supervision of a project's implementation, with respect to its planification. Purpose: AL RESEARC about the value or merit of an intervention. Knowledge building Object: Projects, programs, plans and policies Aims: Linked to program - Improve evaluated programs and policies - Promote accountability - Enlightement for future actions management. Recipients: Scientific community Systematic inquiry, disciplined, purposed No systematic judgement implied. Use of performance data Publicly confirmable Characteristics: and other similar information Often, A) Political nature: with no-applied nature Applied, for practical purposes Intrinsec to Evaluation's field of exercise. Evaluated programs are results of political decisions. Evaluation findings are used for decision-making. Implemented policies are examined. Therefore, it has to be: credible, flexible and timely. Permanent, ongoing, inside function. Object: Feedback, Learning Aimed to enlight. and Improvement function Object: Implemention Social B) Practical nature: Systematic judgement is guaranteed by: problems - Initial consensus on Criteria - Judgement based on systematically collected data Evaluation's unique: Judgements and recommendations Study of political answers to certain problems Systematic judgements Regulated and standarized practice as an outcome. Aim: as an outcome. C) Applied nature: It is valuable as long as it is used. Exhaustive and Monitoring reality facts' evolution regular monitoring of a social issue. BSERVATORIES Users' information needs must be covered. Criteria are standard (norms, procedures, standards). Use of Users: identified Stakeholders. indicators QUALITY Methodological key issues: 1. Context as Evaluation's organiser and driving force 2. Central importance of Criteria 3. Methodology for judging and recommending 4. Communication is crucial. Source: Bañón, R. (comp.) 2003. La evaluación de la Acción y las Políticas Públicas. Madrid; Díaz de Santos. Pág. 13-32: Bustelo, M. “¿Qué tiene de específico la metodología de la evaluación?" © 2012, Sara Vaca (@visualbrains) VIƆOS