Abstract
M.A. (Public Management and Governance)
This study seeks to deal with a variety of ethical challenges that programme
evaluators encounter when undertaking evaluations. In order to find the origin of
programme evaluation ethical dilemmas, the study begins with a description of how
programme and policy evaluation emerged as a professional field. A chronological
approach has been used to outline how different governments and nongovernmental
organisations across the world decided to adopt programme
evaluation as a mechanism that can be employed to judge the worth and
effectiveness of public and private sector policies and programmes. The historical
context has also provided foundations for various purposes of evaluation and roles
that must be assumed by programme evaluators.
The study identified various challenges that arise during different phases of
programme evaluation. Political issues are known challenges that programme
evaluators encounter. A link between obstacles and the various roles of programme
evaluators have been investigated and analysed. The study also shows how
programme evaluators, commissioning agency staff, programme recipients and
participants might contribute to unethical conduct in various stages of the evaluation.
The study assessed different principles and guidelines that programme evaluators
use to guide their evaluations. It also assessed the usefulness of policy instruments
in terms of covering the challenges that arise throughout the life cycle of programme
evaluation.
Furthermore, the study focused on the limitations of the current policy instruments
regarding ethical obstacles in evaluation. In response to these limitations, the study
proposes various measures that programme evaluation institutions can put in place
in order to address the inadequacies that are found in current principles and
guidelines.