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Evaluation as Scientific Research

University of British Columbia

Ideal characteristics of a well established area of scientific inquiry are parsimony, generality, coherence, uniqueness, clarity of boundaries, and potential for cumulative inquiry. The role of evaluation as grazing area for varied species of social science and the entrepreneurial environments of practice have led it to try to define itself by method and/or process, neither of which holds promise of developing the desired properties. Valuation, on the other hand shows real promise as disciplinary core, as shown by the research agendas that can be generated from it. To make use of this construct, evaluators must be aware of the fallacies of the fact-value dichotomy and of confusing ethical neutrality with objectivity.

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