Using evaluation theory in priority setting and resource allocation.

Area of Science:

• Public Administration
• Health Policy
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• Growing public sector demand for accountability and evidence-based decision-making.
• Separate evolution of literatures on priority setting and program evaluation.
• Need to bridge the gap between priority setting practices and their evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate evaluation theory with priority setting and resource allocation initiatives.
• To demonstrate how evaluation theories can guide the evaluation of priority setting.
• To improve the understanding of priority setting practices through effective evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Review of three major branches of evaluation theory: methods, utilization, and valuing.
• Analysis of how these theories can inform the evaluation of priority setting.
• Examination of differences in evaluation theories regarding guiding questions, context, foci, benefit calculation, and methods.

Main Results:

• Evaluation theories provide frameworks for reflecting on evaluation work.
• Theories help organize thinking, filter information, and guide implementation choices.
• Different evaluation theories offer distinct approaches to evaluating priority setting and resource allocation.

Conclusions:

• The choice of evaluation theory significantly shapes the evaluation of priority setting.
• Explicitly considering evaluation theory increases process visibility for stakeholders.
• Effective evaluation design, guided by theory, can iteratively improve priority setting practices.