Evaluation Society (eBook)

Any public or private organization that "lives in public" must now evaluate its activities, be evaluated by others, or evaluate others. But, data from an array of settings and countries indicate that very few evaluations result in any changing action. So, why insist on evaluating? And, what worthwhile results emerge from evaluation? This book answers these questions, using evaluation and organizational theory to offer a fresh perspective.

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Evaluation-whether called by this name, quality assurance, audit, accreditation, or others-is an important social activity. Any organization that "e;lives in public"e; must now evaluate its activities, be evaluated by others, or evaluate others. What are the origins of this wave of evaluation? And, what worthwhile results emerge from it?The Evaluation Society argues that if we want to understand many of the norms, values, and expectations that we, sometimes unknowingly, bring to evaluation, we should explore how evaluation is demanded, formatted, and shaped by two great principles of social order: organization and society. With this understanding, we can more conscientiously participate in evaluation processes; better position ourselves to understand many of the mysteries, tensions, and paradoxes in evaluation; and use evaluation in a more informed way. After exploring the sociology and organization of evaluation in this landmark work, author Peter Dahler-Larsen concludes by discussing issues that are critical for the future of evaluation as a discipline and a societal norm.