Qualitative Research: An Introduction to Methods and Designs

Guiding Principles for Evaluators

Whichever approach fits a particular program, designing and implementing a high-quality evaluation is critically important to trusting the findings and making appropriate decisions. In 2004 the American Evaluation Association (AEA), the premier international organization of professional evaluators, developed a set of five guiding principles to promote ethical practice in the evaluation of programs, products, personnel, materials, and policies. As described in Table 13.1, these principles, with their corresponding standards, serve as a checklist for ensuring high-quality evaluation research.

As is evident from these principles, evaluators must embody a great number of technical skills, dispositions, and ethical ...