ERIC Number: EJ1275020
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Dec
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-2140
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Available Date: N/A
Evaluation Use Theory, Practice, and Future Research: Reflections on the Alkin and King "AJE" Series
American Journal of Evaluation, v41 n4 p581-602 Dec 2020
Marvin Alkin and Jean King published three AJE articles on evaluation use over four years, a coherent and comprehensive series covering the historical development of evaluation use, definitions and factors associated with use and misuse, and theories of evaluation use and influence, concluding with assessment of the first 50 years of use research. They conclude with recommendations for future theory development and research on evaluation. I draw a different set of conclusions and pathway forward. Where they seek a common universal operational definition of evaluation use, I propose treating use as a thick sensitizing concept that invites diversity of context-specific meanings. Where they find evaluation use theory inadequate, I argue that it is sufficient for its purpose. Where they seek more development of evaluation-specific utilization theory, I propose drawing on more established and validated theories from social sciences to explain and illuminate evaluation use as occurring in complex dynamic systems.
Descriptors: Evaluation Utilization, Use Studies, Definitions, Theories, Social Science Research, Systems Approach
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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