Evaluation: Theoretical Underpinnings and Web Resources

Abstract

Librarians may benefit from understanding research theory more fully, looking at the services they offer as a program, and using program evaluation to understand the program value more completely. The process of program evaluation is research, and, as such, it should be situated within theory. This article reviews two of the basic theoretical concepts of research: ontology and epistemology. These concepts work together to help craft the research questions, and the questions drive the selection of methodology. The article also provides a list of web resources useful for understanding research theory in evaluation.

KEYWORDS:

• Epistemology
• evaluation
• focus groups
• ontology
• research
• surveys
• theory

Acknowledgments

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Donna Berryman ([email protected]) and Matthew B. Hoy ([email protected]).