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Poster Reception #2

Research on Evaluation

Session: Poster Reception #2

274 - What's the Use of Research on Evaluation? Perspectives from Evaluators

Stream: Evaluation Foundations and Methodology

Thursday, October 24, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PST
Abstract Information: The needs assessment by Szanyi et al. (2012), explored the use of research on evaluation (RoE) among AEA members in 2009. The presenters sought to replicate this a decade on, with attendees at the 2023 Australian Evaluation Society conference in Brisbane, Australia to understand their use of RoE, along with their perspectives on its importance, enablers and barriers to uptake. More than 100 attendees completed the survey, and the findings revealed there continues to be considerable importance placed on RoE for informing and guiding evaluation practice and bringing legitimacy to evaluation. However, barriers to uptake remain, including accessing RoE and more critically, applying research findings to evaluation practice, and using research to meet emerging evaluation challenges faced by practitioners. The presenters at this session will present on behalf of a team that includes emerging evaluators from government, not-for-profit organisations as well as researchers based at a university, and will detail the findings of the project to identify the priorities for future RoE. In our view, amplifying the voices of practitioners in moving RoE forward, is imperative for RoE to be responsive and connected to the practice challenges evaluators are facing locally and globally. Szanyi, M., Azzam, T., & Galen, M. (2012). Research on evaluation: A needs assessment. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 27(1), 39-64.