Inclusive Evaluation: Implications of Transformative Theory for Evaluation

Abstract

Evaluators face a challenge in responding to a call for greater inclusiveness of marginalized groups. In this presentation, I examine the contribution that transformative theory can make toward meeting this challenge. Transformative scholars assume that knowledge is not neutral, but is influenced by human interests, and that all knowledge reflects the power and social relationships within society, and that an important purpose of knowledge construction is to help people improve society. I propose the use of an inclusive model of evaluation that can address the tension between what is needed accurately represent the experiences of marginalized groups research and the traditional canons of research.

Towards Enhancing Integrated Pest Management Based on Volunteered Geographic Information

“…According to Kwan [26], traditional GIS has been largely understood as a positivist or empiricist science, which is rooted in the quantitative revolution of geography and as such inherits the corresponding positivism or empiricism. Ontologically, positivism recognizes one reality that can be known with certain probability; there is a universal law independent from spatiotemporal contexts [27]. Epistemologically, positivism is associated with subject-object dualism, in which the knower is thought to be value-free and separated from the reality [28].…”

“…Therefore, this paper argues that one considerable relevance to VGI is the transformative paradigm [27,39,40]. The transformative paradigm can be seen as an "emerging paradigm" that combines both the positivist and constructivist perspectives [41].…”

“…Ontologically speaking, the transformative paradigm acknowledges that knowledge are influenced by human interests; there are multiple socially constructed realities, but it recognizes the influence of personal values in determining what is real [40]. This is in contrast to the absolute relativism of the constructivist point of view in which all perspectives have an equal legitimacy [27]. Indeed, determining the best or most trusted information through quality enhancement processes is among the core issues of any VGI program [43,44].…”

“…Indeed, determining the best or most trusted information through quality enhancement processes is among the core issues of any VGI program [43,44]. From an epistemological angle, the transformative paradigm seeks a balanced and complete view of a phenomenon to achieve accurate knowledge, which requires in-depth interactions with the communities on which the program has impacts [27]. Lastly, in methodological terms, the transformative paradigm may involve quantitative, qualitative, or combined methods (no single type of approach is always dominant).…”

“…Lastly, in methodological terms, the transformative paradigm may involve quantitative, qualitative, or combined methods (no single type of approach is always dominant). Knowers need not prescribe a specific methodological orientation [27]. It might include the use of deduction, induction, abduction, or a combination of them.…”