evaluation

Evaluation is the systematic process of determining the merit, worth, or value of something using explicit criteria and evidence. It is applied across domains such as education, public policy, programs, products, and processes to inform decisions, improve performance, and demonstrate accountability. Evaluation differs from assessment in that it aims to judge value or impact, not only measure knowledge or skills.

Key components of evaluation include a defined purpose, criteria for judgment, methods for gathering evidence, and a process for interpreting findings and making recommendations. The evaluation design specifies questions, data sources, and the level of rigor appropriate to the context. Common approaches combine qualitative and quantitative methods to capture outcomes, processes, and context.

Types of evaluation include formative evaluation (to improve a program or product during development), process or implementation evaluation (to assess how activities are carried out), and summative evaluation (to judge outcomes after completion). Impact evaluation seeks to establish causal effects, while economic evaluation compares costs and benefits or costs and outcomes.

Frameworks such as logic models or theories of change are often used to map inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes, helping to link evidence to claims. Evaluation criteria commonly include relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, though others may be used depending on stakeholders and goals.

Ethical considerations are integral, including informed consent, confidentiality, transparency, and minimizing harm. Effective evaluations produce findings that are credible and usable, supporting informed decision-making, accountability, and learning for future initiatives.