Good Evaluation Measures: More Than Their Psychometric Properties

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

In this commentary, we examine Braverman's insights into the trade-offs between feasibility and rigor in evaluation measures and reject his assessment of the trade-off as a zero-sum game. We, argue that feasibility and policy salience are, like reliability and validity, intrinsic to the definition of a good measure. To reduce the tension between feasibility and measurement rigor, we argue that evaluators should make greater use of existing data, identify ways in which improved measurement will result in improved program management, and "thickly" invest measurement resources in areas where questions are most important and evaluation is most needed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)115-119
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Evaluation
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013

Keywords

  • administrative data
  • evaluation
  • management
  • measurement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Social Psychology
  • Health(social science)
  • Education
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Strategy and Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Good Evaluation Measures: More Than Their Psychometric Properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this