Research and evaluation: an overview.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Applied Sciences

Background:

• Distinguishing research from evaluation is crucial for understanding inquiry methodologies.
• Evaluation typically prioritizes decision-making, context, and assessing worth.
• Research traditionally emphasizes drawing conclusions, generalizability, and establishing truth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the core differences between research and evaluation.
• To identify characteristics that define each domain.
• To propose a framework for understanding activities that blend research and evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of inquiry focus (decisions vs. conclusions).
• Examination of the nature of outcomes (generalizability vs. specific worth).
• Contrast in judgment criteria (truth vs. worth).

Main Results:

• Research inquiry focuses on conclusions and truth, yielding generalizable results.
• Evaluation inquiry focuses on decisions and worth, considering setting, politics, and audience.
• Activities incorporating research characteristics (e.g., random selection) into evaluation may be termed evaluative research.

Conclusions:

• Research and evaluation differ in their primary focus, outcomes, and judgment criteria.
• Evaluative research represents a hybrid approach, leveraging research rigor within an evaluative context.
• Understanding these distinctions aids in appropriate study design and interpretation.