Don’t you forget about me: Independence of evaluations from the perspective of US evaluation clients - An exploratory study
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2023
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Type
01A - Journal article
Editors
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
Evaluation
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Link
Series
Series number
Volume
29
Issue / Number
1
Pages / Duration
110-132
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
SAGE
Place of publication / Event location
Edition
Version
Programming language
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Practice partner / Client
Abstract
Policy evaluation literature has stressed the importance of independence of evaluations to guarantee objective evidence collection. The evaluator–client relationship is critical in this respect, since it contains inherent tensions due to the necessity for independent assessments alongside requirements for increased responsiveness to clients’ interests. Despite this distinct relationship, the client perspective has only recently received attention in research. This article presents findings from a survey among US evaluation clients and compares these to existing evidence from Switzerland. Unlike previous studies, we distinguish between constructive and destructive client influences. We show that professional experience and client familiarity with evaluation standards increase the likelihood of constructive influences aimed at improving evaluation results. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that dissatisfaction with an evaluation increases client’s attempts at influence that may be destructive. By discussing both motives behind influence and potential preventive measures, this article seeks to contribute to the increased social impact of policy evaluations.
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ISBN
ISSN
1461-7153
1356-3890
1356-3890
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
No
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Diamond
License
Citation
Schmidli, F. H., Pleger, L. E., & Hadorn, S. (2023). Don’t you forget about me: Independence of evaluations from the perspective of US evaluation clients - An exploratory study. Evaluation, 29(1), 110–132. https://doi.org/10.1177/13563890221138876