NCJ Number
51176
Journal
Evaluation and Program Planning Volume: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 117-120
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
EVALUATORS ARE URGED TO CLARIFY THE ROLE THE EVALUATION IS TO PLAY AND TO FIND OUT WHO THE ULTIMATE USERS WILL BE. TO AVOID ETHICAL CONFLICTS, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT BOTH PARTIES HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT.
Abstract
THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PAPER DISCUSSES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EVALUATION DEVELOPED FOR INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND ONE DEVELOPED FOR EXTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY. ALTHOUGH THE SAME DATA MAY BE GATHERED FOR BOTH EVALUATIONS, THE PRESENTATION, SHOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR EACH, AND THESE DIFFERENCES ARE DISCUSSED. IT IS THEN RECOMMENDED THAT BOTH THE EVALUATOR AND THE CLIENT SHOULD CLARIFY THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE INFORMATION IS TO BE OBTAINED AND DISSEMINATED. THE AGREEMENTS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (DHEW) ARE RECOMMENDED. THE DHEW GUIDELINES DISCUSS POSSIBLE CONFLICTS, AGREE ON THE BENEFITS WHICH CAN BE REASONABLY EXPECTED BY ALL CONCERNED, PROVIDE FOR A MECHANISM FOR REEXAMINING THE EVALUATION PROCEDURE IF PROBLEMS ARISE, AGREE ON CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH EACH PARTY MAY TERMINATE THE RELATIONSHIP, AND SETTLE THE OWNERSHIP OF DATA. THESE AGREEMENTS ALSO SETTLE A NUMBER OF PERIPHERAL ISSUES, WHICH ARE DESCRIBED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE THE EVALUATOR WILL BE EXPECTED TO FUNCTION AS A PROGRAM ADVOCATE. THE ETHICAL WAY TO DO THIS IS DISCUSSED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)