Ethics and Social Justice in Program Evaluation: Are Evaluators Value-free?

Abstract

Program evaluations can be methodologically correct, comply with stated ethical principles, and yet be morally wrong because they violate concepts of social justice. Literature is reviewed on values in evaluation and relevant professional codes of ethics and standards. Issues of changing attitudes in society, who is the primary client, power differentials, vested interests, vulnerabilities, and ethical dilemmas are discussed. A Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists and A Code of Ethics for the Canadian Association of School Psychologists are seen as strong supports for psychologist evaluators in making ethical decisions that respect the rights and welfare of vulnerable populations as well as contributing to a better society. It is important for values affecting program evaluators and program evaluation to be openly recognized and for evaluators to have guidelines for negotiating the ethical dilemmas that arise. Cependant même si l'évaluateur prend en considération l'ensemble des aspects stratégiques et methodologiques, la démarche évaluative peut quand même aboutir a une injustice sociale au regard du programme évalue. (Hurteau, 1993, p. 382).