Reconceptualizing evaluation use: An integrated theory of influence

Abstract

This chapter recasts evaluation use in terms of influence and proposes an integrated theory that conceptualizes evaluation influence in three dimensions—source, intention, and time.

Unbundling evaluation use

“…Kirkhart (2000) introduced the notion of evaluation influence as an important area of study. She defines influence as "the capacity or power of persons or things to produce effects on others by intangible or indirect means" (p. 7).…”

“…Aware/Unintended UnauuarelUnintended AWARENESS > TIME SOURCE Figure 4: Evaluation Impact Within the Program Context (adapted from Kirkhart, 2000) Our argument is based on the conviction that the informed, user-oriented evaluator as a part of the evaluation is able to impact users and contexts and therefore has some potential for increasing the possibility of use (of all kinds, including process use). Because, by definition, influence is unintended, it is outside the domain of the evaluator to affect such possible evaluation influences.…”

“…that they cannot name, we would consider influence. To summarize this section on influence, we used Kirkhart's (2000) influence framework figure and adapted it to our arguments (see Figure 4).…”

Evaluator Roles and Strategies for Expanding Evaluation Process Influence

“…The case study also indicates an evaluation process that had an unintended influence (see Kirkhart, 2000). By allowing the group to take on a task-related discussion, programmatic changes were made that could not be specifically predicted.…”

Usos e influência da avaliação em saúde em dois estudos sobre o Programa Nacional de Controle da Dengue

“…Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, 28 (11):2095-2105, nov, 2012 e ações preexistentes) 6 ; aos tipos de influência -fonte (processo ou resultado), intenção (prevista ou inesperada) e tempo (imediato, por ciclos ou de longo prazo) 7 ; e níveis de influência da avaliação -individual (aquisição ou aprimoramento de atitudes, habilidades e condutas pelos envolvidos na avaliação), interpessoal (persuasão de pares, reconhecimento ou aprimoramento de lideranças, mudança de opinião dos envolvidos e de normas na organização), e coletivo (incorporação da cultura e dos achados das avaliaões na agenda política da organização) 8,9 .…”