Cross-Continental Reflections on Evaluation Practice

Abstract

The evaluation theory tree typology reflects the following three components of evaluation practice: (a) methods, (b) use, and (c) valuing. The purpose of this study was to explore how evaluation practice is conceived as reflected in articles published in the American Journal of Evaluation ( AJE) and Evaluation, a journal supported by the European Evaluation Society. A key finding from this international comparison suggests that evaluation practice as reflected in AJE and Evaluation both emphasize methods, in comparison to use and valuing. This article concludes using Peter Dahler-Larsen’s discussion on evaluation societies, among other sources, to examine the audit society, which might account for the trends in our findings. EvalPartners, a global community of evaluators, has declared 2015 as the international year of evaluation. These findings regarding cross-continental trends in evaluation are relevant for engaging in a global dialogue on evaluation practice.