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European Evaluation Society (EES) & Trends in evaluation practice. Bucharest, November 2, 2006 Professor Peter Dahler-Larsen, PhD Institut for Statskundskab Syddansk Universitet, Odense. SIMPLE SLOGANS do not represent my complex views. European Evaluation Society (EES). Founded 1994
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European Evaluation Society (EES)&Trends in evaluation practice Bucharest, November 2, 2006 Professor Peter Dahler-Larsen, PhD Institut for Statskundskab Syddansk Universitet, Odense
SIMPLESLOGANS do not represent my complex views
European Evaluation Society (EES) • Founded 1994 • Independent • Member-based
Purpose • Promote theory, practice and utilization of high quality evaluation • Bring people and ideas together in evaluation
activities • Conferences & symposia • Professional workshops • Networks and contacts • Working groups • Journal ”Evaluation” • website
Seven trends and issues in evaluation in Europe • 1 Creation of evaluation societies • 2 From evaluability assessment to evaluation culture • 3 Complex evaluands • 4 Revival of role of theory in evaluation • 5 Pluralism in evaluation • 6 Multiple forms of use • 7 Increasing role of public arena
Evaluability assessment: is the evaluation itself cost-effective? • Clear description of program? • Fairly well implemented? • Fairly good program theory? • Well-described and plausible goals? • Relevant data within reach? • Opportunities to improve program, including intended users willing to use results?
Evaluation culture • Norms, values and practices should support the idea of evaluation • Evaluation should be integrated in government and management • Evaluation should be institutionalized and mainstreamed
Instrumental forms of use • Control/accountability • Learning/development
Political forms of use • Strategic use • Tactical use
Unconventional forms of use • Proces use • Enlightenment • Symbolic • Constitutive
Mentioned in survey in addition to instrumental use (Dahler-Larsen) • Attention to activity • Prepare for change • Encourage debate • Develop competency • Better contact between partners • Enthusiasm • Frustration: no clear goals, no participation
Measure fixation • Trivial • Advanced
Theoretical reflection • Nico Stehr: knowledge is socially productive in non-linear ways • Knowledge makes the social order ”fragile”