evaluacija

Evaluacija refers to the systematic process of assessing the merit, value, quality, or significance of a subject or program according to predefined criteria. It is used across diverse fields to inform decision making, improve performance, and demonstrate accountability. Evaluacija aims to produce evidence about what works, for whom, under which conditions, and at what cost. The exact scope and criteria depend on the context, but the core goal is to support informed judgment.

The term evaluacija derives from Latin evaluare, meaning to assess the value of something. In many European languages, evaluacija is the common noun form. The concept has evolved to encompass both the technical measurement of outcomes and the ethical and practical dimensions of decision making.

In education, evaluacija examines curricula, instruction, learning outcomes, and assessment methods to improve teaching and student achievement. In public and nonprofit sectors, program or project evaluacija assesses design quality, implementation fidelity, efficiency, and impact. In human resources, performance evaluacija appraises employee work, development needs, and career progression. In research, evaluation methods assess study validity and societal relevance.

Evaluacija combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data sources include surveys, tests, administrative records, interviews, focus groups, and observations. Common frameworks include logic models and theories of change; evaluations may be formative (to improve ongoing efforts) or summative (to judge outcomes after completion). Types include process, output, outcome, impact, and economic evaluation.

The evaluation process typically follows stages: define purpose and questions, select indicators and framework, design data collection, gather and analyze data, interpret findings, and report results. Ethical considerations, stakeholder involvement, transparency, and reliability are essential. Results should feed planning, budgeting, and policy decisions, not merely documenting performance.