What is the difference between research and evaluation?
|
Research |
Evaluation |
Purpose is testing theory and producing generalizable findings. | Purpose is to determine the effectiveness of a specific program or model. |
| Questions originate with scholars in a discipline. | Questions originate with key stakeholders and primary intended users of evaluation findings. |
| Quality and importance judged by peer review in a discipline. | Quality and importance judged by those who will use the findings to take action and make decisions |
| Ultimate test of value is contribution to knowledge. | Ultimate test of value is usefulness to improve effectiveness. |
Many people commonly have questions about the specific distinctions between evaluation and research. The following sources provide information on these distinctions:
Nonprofit Capacity Building Blog
Evaluation tends to be less complicated than research. Many people engage in informal evaluation on a daily basis. Formal evaluation and research processes are "systematic and rigorous," but they differ in that evaluation focuses on a program, determines value, and happens in real time, while research focuses on populations and stays value-free.
There are a variety of purposes and approaches to research and evaluation. Research pursues answers to questions to create new knowledge. Evaluation uses data to guide decision making, determine if and how a program is meeting its goal and objectives, and establishes long-term effects of a program.
BetterEvaluation Blog
Evaluation and research are generally seen as two separate and mutually exclusive classifications. This is not always the case, as there may be some overlap between the two. Evaluation may also be viewed as a subset of research, and vice versa.
Defense Health Agency, Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen Program Evaluation
Click
here to learn more about Program Evaluation and to see examples.
