Gleaning Insights From Research on Evaluation (RoE) PhD Dissertations

What the paper says

ABSTRACT The field of evaluation is constantly evolving and influenced by a growing body of research on evaluation (RoE). This article explores evolution by synthesizing key themes and contributions from 76 RoE doctoral dissertations produced over the last decade at five leading universities. We examine research findings about prevalent topic themes like evaluation theory, evaluation methodology, evaluation training, evaluator competency, evaluation policy, state of the field, and evaluation knowledge. Findings suggest a strong movement in RoE toward social justice, culturally responsive evaluation, and decolonizing evaluation approaches, demonstrating a field‐wide commitment to equity and community engagement. Beyond these core areas, dissertations also explored topics such as evaluation data visualization, evaluation capacity building, and systems thinking in evaluation practice. We discuss how the reviewed RoE dissertations have the potential to shape policy, refine methodologies, inform theoretical frameworks, improve training programs, and, ultimately, enhance evaluation practice. This synthesis offers insights for educators, trainers, scholars, and practitioners, contributing to the ongoing development of evaluation as a dynamic and responsive discipline.