CHARACTERISTICS A less formal and more pluralistic evaluation; it’s central focus is on addressing stakeholder (administrators, teachers, students, parents) concern and issues. Emphasizes evaluation being conducted in settings where learning occurs. Improved communication is the goal so the model responds to emerging issues learned through interaction and observation instead of giving too much attention to predetermined issues. Relies heavily on qualitative techniques (understanding stakeholder’s context, culture, power, needs and beliefs to a certain phenomenon) which may often be neglected in other basic model of evaluation
Disadvantages of the evaluation model Stresses Complexity Rather than Simplicity Subjective Labor Intensive Not suitable for making generalization or to developing theories
advantages Directs attention to the needs of those for whom an evaluation is being done Looks at a program from different viewpoints Flexible to the unique needs of participants and relies on insider knowledge. Allows the researcher / evaluate to responsively focus on issues that are of priority. Likely to lead to “good decision-making” because it provides answers to questions that participants are asking.