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Roundtable

Research on Evaluation

What does it mean to be an evaluator?

Stream: Evaluation Foundations and Methodology

Friday, October 25, 2024
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PST
Location: Portland Ballroom 254
Abstract Information: A recurring theme among evaluators and related practitioners is that no one is able to say exactly what an evaluator is. In Miranda and Stadler’s “Eva the Evaluator,” an evaluator dad tries to explain his profession to his daughter by listing the types of activities and skills he engages in. This leads to a back-and-forth chain that likens evaluators to doctors, judges, detectives, explorers, carpenters, etc. Though a children’s book, it illustrates the diverse work of evaluation practitioners and the challenges of explaining it. So, what do evaluators say it means to be an evaluator? The presenters have all conducted research on evaluators’ professional identity. They have approached their project using different methods and focuses, which provide complementary perspectives on describing the professional identities of those who identify as evaluators. In this roundtable session, the presenters will briefly present their research into the professional identities of evaluation practitioners. Attendees will then discuss professional identity, such as their identities and how they influence their work. Additional questions may explore participants' beliefs about the profession, the practitioners, and the practice of evaluation.