It is the mission of The University of Alabama Office of Evaluation Research and School Improvement to provide high quality evaluation services that will improve translation into practice.
The University of Alabama Office of Evaluation adheres to the Five Guiding Principles of Evaluation as set forth by the American Evaluation Association.
What is Evaluation?
Governments, businesses, not-for-profit agencies, philanthropic foundations, and international organizations around the world use evaluation evidence to find out what is and is not effective.
Generally, people think program evaluation s answers the questions, “Does a program work?” and “How can the program be improved?”
But, program evaluation answers deeper questions such as,
- “How do you know your program is or is not good?”
- “What are your criteria?”
- “On what data do you base your judgment?”
- “What results were you expecting?”
Finding the answers to such questions helps our stakeholders make decisions on how to apply what they have learned. This could include allocating resources, developing staff, purchasing products, and implementing programs.
Independent evaluations ensure that stakeholders have reliable, unbiased information on how funds are being spent and what is being accomplished.
Five Guiding Principles of Evaluation
Systematic Inquiry — conduct systematic, data-based inquiries
Competence — provide competent performance to stakeholders
Integrity/Honesty — display honesty and integrity and attempt to ensure the honesty and integrity of the entire evaluation process
Respect for People — respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants, clients, and other evaluation stakeholders
Responsibilities for General and Public Welfare — articulate and take into account the diversity of general and public interests and values that may be related to the evaluation
— Courtesy of the American Evaluation Association