Do You Want a Performance Audit or a Program Evaluation?

Abstract

Given the diversity of program evaluation, it is difficult to generalize about it, but certain major perspectives affect how evaluations are conceptualized, conducted, and reported. This article compares auditing with evaluation research in terms of foci, independence, quality control, and professionalism of program evaluation practitioners. It is important to note that the inferences drawn here represent tendencies rather than absolutes. Nevertheless, the theme is that legislators and executive agency managers should consider these tendencies before establishing program evaluation units and consider them again as they assess the performance of those units. If public policy makers do not carefully consider what they expect from program evaluation and incorporate those expectations into their requests for evaluations, then program evaluation practitioners will make these decisions for them according to their own theoretical and philosophical predispositions.

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