Book Review: A research agenda for evaluation

Abstract

As editor of A Research Agenda for Evaluation, Peter Dahler-Larsen boldly opens the book by critiquing distinctions of evaluation as a logical process, a semi-professional field, a socio-political practice, and as evaluation research. The discussion points to the necessity of a ‘skeptical turn’ (p. 4), shining a light on the modernist and rational assumptions underpinning much of evaluation practice. From within this contextual framing arises the critical agenda for the future of evaluation research and the purpose of the book, being ‘to offer a fresh perspective on a new research agenda for evaluation, while taking complications and reflexivities onboard’ (p. 4). Rather than presenting answers, a series of questions are provided to promote critical thinking and point toward areas of importance for this new research agenda. These areas include: