Context and Culture in Evaluation: A Case Study of Evaluation Anthropology

Abstract

Designing programs to address poverty and inequality for Australian Aboriginal communities over recent decades has proved problematic. There is a need for greater consideration of different cultural perspectives. A culturally appropriate evaluation framework can provide a range of strategies to embrace cultural difference. Evaluation anthropology, one of many culturally appropriate approaches, emphasises understanding of socio-cultural environments and contexts, and reflective practice to draw attention to cultural bias. This paper will define evaluation anthropology and then reflect on its usefulness in establishing an evaluation framework for a preliteracy program located in a remote Aboriginal community in Australia. The aims of the program are to improve school readiness through developing preliteracy (English language) skills in children aged 0-3 years. Developing an evaluation framework for the program required an approach that accounted for the socio-cultural aspects of literacy development. The lessons from this case study demonstrate the need for place-specific theory to inform program design and evaluation practice.