Understanding the Differences: Research vs. Evaluation
RESEARCH VS. EVALUATION
While research and evaluation can sometimes overlap, they serve distinct purposes. Let's delve into their key functions.
RESEARCH investigates how something works and why things happen. It seeks to expand knowledge or generate new insights or theories about a particular subject. The knowledge can then be applied to broader contexts.
EVALUATION determines the worth and significance of something, typically for specific stakeholders. Its primary focus is to assess the effectiveness and impact of programs, services, or initiatives. It provides informed decisions, such as feedback and recommendations for future planning, implementation, improvement, and sustainability.
Evaluation and social science research, particularly community-based research, often use similar data collection and analysis strategies. They can also complement each other. Research can inform the design of an evaluation, and the findings from the evaluation can guide future research questions.
Generally, research relies more on probability sampling to ensure its findings can be generalized to the population the sample represents. This need for generalization makes research more theoretical in nature, whereas evaluation tends to be more practical and tailored to the specific needs and interests of stakeholders.
On the other hand, academic laboratory research and controlled experiments frequently use distinct methods, depending on the field of study and the type of data required.
Given their different objectives, research and evaluation also differ in concepts, definitions, audiences, and usages.
#Evaluation #MEARL #Research
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