title: A reinforcement exchange analysis of the power aspects of program evaluation.
abstract: Power, examined within a reinforcement exchange model, is proposed as an essential dynamism through which program evaluation is mounted, executed, and utilized. The ability of the program evaluator to influence or control the policies or operations of the evaluatee depends chiefly on an exchange of behaviors which nets all participants of the evaluation interaction a fair and sufficient "payoff" in terms of contingent reinforcements. Other contextual features of program evaluation, particularly those that constrain on utilization of the recommendations, are briefly discussed.
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012380:Role