An assessment of goal-free evaluation: Case studies of four goal-free evaluations

Brandon W. Youker, Allyssa Ingraham and Nicholas Bayer

Evaluation and Program Planning, 2014, vol. 46, issue C, 10-16

Abstract: This article provides a descriptive review of four goal-free program evaluations (GFE). GFE is an evaluation model where the independent evaluator is intentionally screened from the program's stated goals and objectives in hopes of reducing potential goal-related tunnel vision. The findings from these GFE case studies are focused in three areas: (1) elements of the programs that were evaluated and their existing evaluation contexts (e.g., pre-evaluation conditions, size of evaluation budget), (2) design of the GFEs (e.g., screening method, data collection methods), and (3) expertise of the goal-free evaluators (e.g., training, degrees attained). The findings indicate that, when employed, GFE is used as a qualitative data collection method; and the GFEs conducted have been relatively small in size and scope. The conclusions are that a more explicit operationalization of GFE is needed for increased use, and that systematic and empirical study comparing GFE with other evaluation models is warranted.

Keywords: Evaluate; Evaluation; Goal; Objective; Goal-free; Goal-based; Case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:epplan:v:46:y:2014:i:c:p:10-16

DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.05.002

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