What is evaluation? (AEA statement)

A brief (4-page) overview that presents a statement from the American Evaluation Association defining evaluation as "a systematic process to determine merit, worth, value or significance".

The statement covers the following areas:

• What is evaluation?
• What are the different types of evaluation?
• How are evaluations used?
• Evaluation’s value and benefits
• Who does evaluation

The definition, drawn from the work of Michael Scriven, does not limit evaluation to looking at whether objectives have been achieved but includes unintended effects as well. It also requires a systematic approach, so simply making a judgement without reference to credible evidence or transparent values would not be included in this definition.