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Article
Ethnography and evaluation: Their relationship and three anthropological models of evaluation
Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation (2005)
  • Brandon W. Youker, Ph.D, Grand Valley State University
Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between ethnographic research methods and evaluation theory and methodology. It is divided into two main sections: (a) ethnography in evaluation and (b) anthropological models of evaluation. Three levels of the leading anthropological models of evaluation are summarized, which include responsive evaluation, goal-free evaluation, and constructivist evaluation. In conclusion, (a) there is no consensual definition of ethnography; (b) in many circumstances, ethnographic evaluation models may be beneficial; and (c) ethnography can be used in evaluation but requires a high level of analysis to transform ethnographic data into useful information for eliciting an evaluative conclusion.

Keywords
  • anthropology,
  • ethnography,
  • evaluate,
  • evaluation,
  • responsive,
  • goal-free,
  • constructivist,
  • model,
  • program
Publication Date
2005
Citation Information
Brandon W. Youker. "Ethnography and evaluation: Their relationship and three anthropological models of evaluation" Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation Vol. 3 (2005)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brandon_youker/5/