So What Do You Do? Exploring Evaluator Descriptions of Their Work

Abstract

To progress as a field, evaluators must be able to describe their work to nonevaluators, and to persuade an audience they have something unique and valuable to offer. Yet anecdotal reports suggest many evaluators have difficulty describing their work. Through 42 interviews with practicing evaluators, we aimed to better understand evaluators’ experiences discussing their work, examining how evaluators describe their work to nonevaluators and the perceived challenges they face doing so. Findings suggest there are common threads linking evaluator descriptions of their work, with many evaluators presenting evaluation as a tool to help social programs, policies, and organizations. And, although many evaluators described layperson reactions that centered on confusion, disinterest, and fear, others also described experiences characterized by understanding, interest, and gratitude. Strategies for enhancing communication in this domain are described.