NCJ Number
42045
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
EVALUATIONS, LIKE PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS, AND PERSONNEL, ARE THEMSELVES SUBJECT TO EVALUATION AND SHOULD MEET THE STANDARD OF PROVIDING A POSITIVE COST-BENEFIT BALANCE, AS NEARLY AS THIS CAN BE DETERMINED.
Abstract
THIS DOCTRINE OF COST-FREE EVALUATION (OR CFE FOR SHORT) IMPLIES THAT THERE IS NO NET CHARGE FOR THE SERVICES TO THE ULTIMATE PURCHASER OF WHATEVER IT IS THAT IS BEING EVALUATED. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE EVALUATOR WORKS FOR FREE. IN SHORT, THE CRUCIAL AND PROPER JUSTIFICATION OF EVALUATION IS THAT IT IMPROVES THE EFFICIENCY OR YIELD OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS. EVALUATION HAS TO PAY ITS WAY AND HAS TO BE SUBJECT TO EVALUATION IN ITS TURN. THE IDENTIFICATION OF NON-OPTIMAL PRACTICES LEADS TO INTERNAL SAVINGS (I.E., RELEASES PROJECT DOLLARS FOR BETTER USE), WHILE THE DISCOVERY OF LOOPHOLES IN PROCEDURES CAN ENABLE THE ULTIMATE PURCHASER TO GET A BETTER PRODUCT FOR THE SAME MONEY (EXTERNAL SAVINGS). THESE SAVINGS ARE THE SOURCE TAPPED TO PAY FOR PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS AND EVALUATOR FEES AND/OR SALARIES. IN ADDITION, A COMBINATION OF INCENTIVES TO PROGRAM EMPLOYEES/STAFF TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EVALUATION (IN THE FORM OF FEEDBACK) AND SAFEGUARDS AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES CAN NOT ONLY PROVIDE BETTER EVALUATION INPUT AS SUCH, BUT ALSO CAN PROVIDE MUCH BETTER A CLIMATE FOR THE EVALUATION THAT DATA-GATHERING BY THE EVALUATOR WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED, WITH CONSEQUENT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RELIABILITY AND RANGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...ELW