title: An assessment of goal-free evaluation: case studies of four goal-free evaluations.
abstract: This article provides a descriptive review of four goal-free program evaluations (GFE). GFE is an evaluation model where the independent evaluator is intentionally screened from the program's stated goals and objectives in hopes of reducing potential goal-related tunnel vision. The findings from these GFE case studies are focused in three areas: (1) elements of the programs that were evaluated and their existing evaluation contexts (e.g., pre-evaluation conditions, size of evaluation budget), (2) design of the GFEs (e.g., screening method, data collection methods), and (3) expertise of the goal-free evaluators (e.g., training, degrees attained). The findings indicate that, when employed, GFE is used as a qualitative data collection method; and the GFEs conducted have been relatively small in size and scope. The conclusions are that a more explicit operationalization of GFE is needed for increased use, and that systematic and empirical study comparing GFE with other evaluation models is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Grand Valley State University, United States. Electronic address: youkerb@gvsu.edu.
authors.forename: Brandon W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Youker
authors.affiliation: Grand Valley State University, United States. Electronic address: ingrahama@mail.gvsu.edu.
authors.forename: Allyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ingraham
authors.affiliation: Grand Valley State University, United States.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bayer
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Case study; Evaluate; Evaluation; Goal; Goal-based; Goal-free; Objective