The pressures within: dilemmas in the conduct of evaluation from within government
Edited book (chapter)
Chapter Title | The pressures within: dilemmas in the conduct of evaluation from within government |
---|---|
Book Chapter Category | Edited book (chapter) |
ERA Publisher ID | 3137 |
Book Title | Political pressures on educational and social research: international perspectives |
Authors | |
Author | Trimmer, Karen |
Editors | Trimmer, Karen |
Page Range | 180-191 |
Chapter Number | 15 |
Number of Pages | 12 |
Year | 2016 |
Publisher | Routledge |
Place of Publication | Oxon, United Kingdom |
ISBN | 9781138947122 |
9781315670263 | |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.routledge.com/Political-Pressures-on-Educational-and-Social-Research-International-perspectives/Trimmer/p/book/9781138947122 |
Abstract | Government departments can be requested to conduct research on behalf of a Minister with a policy interest in a particular area. When there is a political imperative and particularly when a media announcement has been made, there can be ramifications for the rigor of the research and subsequently the interpretation of the results. This chapter examines the area of research and evaluation commissioned by and conducted within government departments in Australia. It then refers to two case study evaluations that broadly reviewed the effectiveness of programs in public schools in Australia where politics impacted on the development, conduct and reporting of the research. Through the first case study, the chapter explores problems for researchers within government departments when research methodology is imposed prior to the development of clearly defined research questions, resulting in methodology that is not rigorous and inadequate to meet the stated outcomes for the research project. Such problems impact on the veracity of the conclusions that may be drawn at the conclusion of the research. The second case study considers the complexity of providing a balanced interpretation of the results, including reporting of outcomes to government executives that are unsatisfactory or inconsistent with established or preferred policy directions. These dilemmas are explored from the perspective of a research manager employed by the department. The chapter concludes by discussing a range of strategies that may be employed by researchers and evaluators to counter political impact. Links are made to issues raised in preceding case study chapters and to theoretical chapters in section 1. |
Keywords | evaluation, performance review, politics, political pressures, political context, decision-making, power distribution, policy agora, rigorous methodology, empowerment evaluation, agreed measures, dissemination strategy, stakeholders |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390303. Higher education |
390403. Educational administration, management and leadership | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3866/the-pressures-within-dilemmas-in-the-conduct-of-evaluation-from-within-government
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