The Role of Context: A Synthesis of Empirical Research on Evaluation Context

What the paper says

ABSTRACT In this study, we conducted a qualitative synthesis of recent Research on Evaluation (RoE) studies focusing on evaluation context. Building on previous systematic reviews, we examined how contextual dimensions, including evaluator, interest‐holder, organizational/program, and historical/political influence evaluation studies. By coding and compiling context descriptors and their associated findings from RoE studies, we sought to extend beyond classifying RoE research to synthesize what has been learned from it. Our findings highlight the complex interplay of several of these dimensions, offering insights to enhance research‐informed evaluation practice. However, the analysis also points to several challenges inherent in compiling and using RoE findings, including a need for evaluators to comprehensively report on evaluation context descriptors in their dissemination of RoE context. Efforts to promote this standardization should contribute to a deeper understanding of the evaluation context within RoE, aiding evaluators in making informed decisions and ultimately improving evaluation practice and informing future efforts to conduct research using existing RoE.