What is the difference between research and evaluation?
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Research | Evaluation |
What is the purpose?
| Test theory and produce generalizable findings.
| Determine the effectiveness of a specific program or model.
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How are questions developed?
| Scholars in a discipline.
| Key stakeholders and primary intended users of evaluation findings.
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Who judges quality and importance?
| Peer review in a discipline.
| Stakeholders who will use the findings to make decisions and implement action.
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What is the ultimate test of value?
| Contribution to knowledge.
| Usefulness to improve effectiveness.
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Many people commonly have questions about the specific distinctions between evaluation and research.
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. 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.
The following sources provide information on these distinctions:
Nonprofit Capacity Building Blog
BetterEvaluation Blog
References
Santo, T. J., Brown, J. A., Gomez, S. A., & Shirey, L. A. (2022). The Role of Program Evaluation in Keeping Army Health “Army Strong”: Translating Lessons Learned into Best Practices. Military medicine, 187(7-8), 189-195.
