Un outil à visée pédagogique pour discuter de méthodologie

Abstract

In this article, we discuss the importance of communicating the evaluation approach (process, methodology, results, and limits) to promote the use of results and the implementation of recommendations. We present an education-focused, meta-evaluative training tool based on the methodological aspects of the evaluation process, and designed to support evaluators, particularly novice evaluators, in the rigorous planning, implementation and communication of methodology. We are focusing on communicating the program evaluation approach though evaluation reports (technical and final) that are usually the means offering the most information on both results and the evaluation process. We realize that there are other means of communication (i.e., journal-published articles), but their format doesn’t always allow the provision of all the information relevant to results and the approach chosen by evaluators, since they usually only present highlights and not methodological aspects. Since we zeroed in on methodological considerations, it seemed to us that it would be more relevant to base ourselves on the information included in reports. This is not an innocuous choice, as an evaluation’s quality depends, in part, on a recognized methodology that is able to provide the solid evidence needed to exercise judgment. Also, we discuss the role of meta-evaluation (MEV) in enriching evaluation practice and promoting program evaluation’s quality. Furthermore, we present a meta-evaluative tool we designed to encourage the operationalization of quality evaluative methodologies and the implementation of effective evaluative practices.