The chapter explores critical roles of internal evaluators in contemporary organizational settings. The need is highlighted for an expanded, reconfigured, unorthodox set of roles and styles of work to meet the needs of the emerging learning organizations effectively. A discussion of major categories of internal evaluator roles emerged from the…

A definition of evaluation use incorporates four major types of use: (1) allocative, direct use; (2) conceptual enlightenment; (3) impact on organizational policies and practice; and (4) contribution to the management of the organization. Implications for research studies that incorporate this definition of use are presented. (Author/LC)

Utilization should be defined according to the evaluation approach used and the purposes established for it. By developing a matrix that includes the dimensions of utilization and the various evaluation approaches, it is possible to plan and conduct evaluations that increase the likelihood of the desired type of utilization. (Author/LC)

Evaluation utilization/use is discussed with the concept of user rationality (including examples where the rational use of evaluation results may be unclear or may be nonuse). A current project focuses on studying the process of evaluation information use and on validating a theory of use. (Author/LC)