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Evaluation as a social practice: Disenchantment, rationalities and ethics

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  • Picciotto, Robert

Abstract

We live in an age where evaluation is omnipresent. However, as a social practice, it has become hard to distinguish from auditing, inspection, quality assurance and other means of social control. As a result, the evaluation occupation is now widely viewed as intrusive and burdensome – a self-serving commercial enterprise. Yet, evaluation at its creation was conceived (or perhaps imagined) as a vocation devoted to the public good. This article probes the root causes of the spreading disenchantment; puts Weber’s logic of social action to work; and puts his rationalities concepts to work to explore the ethical and professional challenges currently faced by the evaluation community.

Suggested Citation

  • Picciotto, Robert, 2021. "Evaluation as a social practice: Disenchantment, rationalities and ethics," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:87:y:2021:i:c:s0149718921000227
    DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101927
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    3. Picciotto, Robert, 2019. "Is evaluation obsolete in a post-truth world?," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 88-96.
    4. Parker, Martin, 2018. "Shut Down the Business School," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780745399171, October.
    5. Campbell, Donald T., 1979. "Assessing the impact of planned social change," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 2(1), pages 67-90, January.
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