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Designing indicators for opening up evaluation: insights from research assessment

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posted on 2023-06-10, 02:00 authored by Ismael Rafols, Andrew StirlingAndrew Stirling
The use of indicators is generally associated with a reduction of perspectival diversity in evaluation that often facilitates making decisions along dominant framings – effectively closing down debate. In this chapter we will argue that while this is indeed often the case, indicators can also be used to help support more plural evaluation and foster more productively critical debate. In order to achieve this shift, it is necessary equally to change understandings, forms and uses of indicators in decision making. These shifts involve, first, broadening out the range of ‘inputs’ taken into account; and second, opening up the ‘outputs’, in the sense of developing methodologies for indicator-based analyses to help in considering plural perspectives. In practice, this means a move towards more situated and participatory use of quantitative evidence in evaluation, a shift from universal indicators to contextualized indicating.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Publisher

Edward Elgar

Page range

165-193

Pages

256.0

Book title

A research agenda for evaluation

Place of publication

Cheltenham, UK

ISBN

9781839101076

Series

Political Science and Public Policy 2021

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Notes

This is a draft chapter/article. The final version is available in A research agenda for evaluation edited by [Peter Dahler-Larsen, published in 2021, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839101083 The material cannot be used for any other purpose without further permission of the publisher, and is for private use only.

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

Peter Dahler-Larsen

Legacy Posted Date

2021-12-14

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-12-14

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-12-14

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