Text in an Evaluative Context: Writing for Dialogue

Abstract

Written texts are an important medium for evaluators to communicate their findings. Evaluation reports take many forms and functions, commonly having the character of a scientific text. An objective and factual description informs readers about the activities and outcomes of the program and its underlying mechanisms. In this article I suggest that a scientific text can be useful when an evaluation aims to determine the worth of a program. However, if the goal of evaluation is to promote a dialogue among those who have an interest in the evaluated program a different kind of text is required. In my attempt to identify an appropriate text for such a purpose I describe and apply the notions of texts developed by postmodern writers—self-reflexivity, polyvocality and multiplicity—in an evaluative context. The potential of this kind of text is illustrated and critically examined by the responsive evaluation of a Palliative Care project.