What is evaluation? Perspectives of how evaluation differs (or not) from research

Area of 
difference 
Research 
Evaluation 
Competencies 
Social science research 
design, methods, theory, 
etc. 
Same as researchers, but also interpersonal 
effectiveness, planning/management, 
political maneuvering, etc.
Purpose 
Generate knowledge to 
inform the research base 
Generate knowledge for a particular 
program/client and provides information for 
decision-making/learning 
Primary 
Audience 
Other researchers 
Clients (internal and external) 
Primary 
decision-maker 
Researchers decide the 
topic, methods, design, etc. 
Clients and funders often have a large role in 
determining what is studied 
Timeline 
Determined by researcher 
Bounded by the organization’s or funder’s 

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time frame requirements 
Funding 
Research grants or 
university funding 
Client organization or funder, foundations 
What questions 
are asked 
Researchers formulate 
their own hypotheses; 
Research questions 
Answers questions that primary stakeholders 
are concerned with; Evaluative questions 
Role of Theory 
Social science theory is 
embedded 
Uses social science theory, program theory, 
and evaluation theory to inform the 
evaluation 
Value judgments Value neutral 
Provides a value judgment and often 
provides recommendations 
Action setting 
Basic research takes place 
in controlled environments 
Takes place in an action setting where few 
things can be controlled, and things are often 
political
Utility 
Often doesn't think 
critically about use 
Often concerned with use from the beginning