Evaluation: In common usage

In common usage, evaluation is a systematic determination and assessment of a subject's merit, worth and significance, using criteria governed by a set of standards. The journal Evaluation launched in 1995, publishes fully refereed papers and aims to advance the theory, methodology and practice of evaluation . We favour articles that bridge … | View full journal description What is evaluation ? Evaluation is a systematic process to determine merit, worth, value or significance. So what does that mean in practice? Let’s use one kind of evaluation , program evaluation , to illustrate. Programs and projects of all kinds aspire to make the world a better place. Program evaluation answers questions like: To what extent does the program achieve its goals? How can it be improved? Should it continue? Are the results worth what the program costs? Program evaluators ... A brief (4-page) overview that presents a statement from the American Evaluation Association defining evaluation as "a systematic process to determine merit, worth, value or significance".