Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making

In this article, the author explores the issues associated with the practical significance of evaluation research in the policy making environment of Latvia. Sporadic, selective and rare use of the results of evaluation research is viewed as the central issue of the paper. The objective of this arti...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Anda Lake
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tallinn University 2011-11-01
Series:Studies of Transition States and Societies
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_lake-1.pdf
_version_ 1819181310335254528
author Anda Lake
author_facet Anda Lake
author_sort Anda Lake
collection DOAJ
description In this article, the author explores the issues associated with the practical significance of evaluation research in the policy making environment of Latvia. Sporadic, selective and rare use of the results of evaluation research is viewed as the central issue of the paper. The objective of this article is to reveal the connection between the action strategy of the groups involved in the implementation of evaluation research and manifestations of practical significance of evaluation. Implementation, utilisation and practical importance of evaluation research are examined not only in relation to rational action strategies of the groups, but also in relation to the understanding of the concept of practical significance of evaluation research. The theoretical framework of the article is based on the conceptual understanding of J. Habermas’ purposive rationality and communicative rationality, as well as C. H. Weiss’ understanding of practical utilisation of evaluation (the instrumental and enlightened models). The practical importance of evaluation research as well as action strategies of implementing evaluation research are studied empirically in the form of qualitative interviews. The author concludes that the rational action strategy (typical of the Latvian policy making environment) of the groups involved in evaluation is not readily compatible with the evaluation approach that focuses on practical utilisation. The lack of communicative rationality in the action strategy of the interacting and involved groups substantially diminishes the role of evaluation research in the identification and implementation of the most effective models of solving social issues in policy making in Latvia.
first_indexed 2024-12-22T22:28:12Z
format Article
id doaj.art-80ff0fba453f4caa86c161528565022a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1736-874X
1736-8758
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-22T22:28:12Z
publishDate 2011-11-01
publisher Tallinn University
record_format Article
series Studies of Transition States and Societies
spelling doaj.art-80ff0fba453f4caa86c161528565022a2022-12-21T18:10:30ZengTallinn UniversityStudies of Transition States and Societies1736-874X1736-87582011-11-01336482Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy MakingAnda LakeIn this article, the author explores the issues associated with the practical significance of evaluation research in the policy making environment of Latvia. Sporadic, selective and rare use of the results of evaluation research is viewed as the central issue of the paper. The objective of this article is to reveal the connection between the action strategy of the groups involved in the implementation of evaluation research and manifestations of practical significance of evaluation. Implementation, utilisation and practical importance of evaluation research are examined not only in relation to rational action strategies of the groups, but also in relation to the understanding of the concept of practical significance of evaluation research. The theoretical framework of the article is based on the conceptual understanding of J. Habermas’ purposive rationality and communicative rationality, as well as C. H. Weiss’ understanding of practical utilisation of evaluation (the instrumental and enlightened models). The practical importance of evaluation research as well as action strategies of implementing evaluation research are studied empirically in the form of qualitative interviews. The author concludes that the rational action strategy (typical of the Latvian policy making environment) of the groups involved in evaluation is not readily compatible with the evaluation approach that focuses on practical utilisation. The lack of communicative rationality in the action strategy of the interacting and involved groups substantially diminishes the role of evaluation research in the identification and implementation of the most effective models of solving social issues in policy making in Latvia.http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_lake-1.pdfrationalitypolicy impact assessmentevaluation researchutilisation of evaluation research.
spellingShingle Anda Lake
Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making
Studies of Transition States and Societies
rationality
policy impact assessment
evaluation research
utilisation of evaluation research.
title Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making
title_full Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making
title_fullStr Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making
title_full_unstemmed Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making
title_short Rationaliy and Utility of Evaluation Reseach in Policy Making
title_sort rationaliy and utility of evaluation reseach in policy making
topic rationality
policy impact assessment
evaluation research
utilisation of evaluation research.
url http://www.tlu.ee/stss/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/stss_nov_2011_lake-1.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT andalake rationaliyandutilityofevaluationreseachinpolicymaking