The development of an evaluation framework

ABSTRACT

Evaluation has much to offer those in professional services. Yet, it has received less attention in this area of higher education than in teaching and learning. Drawing on the insights of professional service practitioners, this study begins by considering the case for using evaluations in the work of those in allied and support services. Besides affording a means of assessing the success of projects and programmes, and providing evidence to regulators and other stakeholders of what has been achieved, evaluation presents an opportunity to reflect on practice and learn more about those who professional service departments support. However, whilst its value was recognised amongst the practitioners surveyed, its use has been limited by uncertainties over how evaluations should be conducted. The second part of the paper introduces a framework aimed at addressing these concerns, with feedback from practitioners confirming its capability in guiding the evaluation process.

KEYWORDS:

• Evaluation
• professional services
• guidance
• framework

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the practitioners who took part in the workshop that featured in this study. Thank you also to Dr Patricia Harris, Ruth Selwyn-Crome, James Ferguson and Maresa Padmore for their time, insights and expertise.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Dr Neil Raven is an independent educational consultant and researcher in the field of widening participation and fair access. He is also a visiting lecturer in the School of Education, University of Bristol, and a tutor in research methods at a number of UK-based universities. He has published a range of articles on aspects of widening participation, evaluation planning and professional practice.