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EVALUATION PROFESSION IN PURSUIT OF VALUE

NCJ Number
51175
Journal
Evaluation and Program Planning Volume: 1 Dated: (1978) Pages: 113-115
Author(s)
S N SHEINFELD
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A VALUE MATRIX IS CONSTRUCTED FROM SIX VALUE STATEMENTS CULLED FROM WRITINGS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONS. THIS MATRIX IS THEN USED AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR DISCUSSION OF EVALUATION ETHICS.
Abstract
THE SIX PRINCIPLES SELECTED FOR THE MATRIX ARE: (1) DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE, THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE BURDENS AND BENEFITS OF SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED IN ACCORD WITH STANDARDS OF EQUALITY, NEED, OR CONTRACT; (2) TRUTH SEEKING; (3) HUMAN DIGNITY, WHICH INCLUDES THE CONCEPT OF MEANINGFUL CONTROL OF ONES OWN DESTINY; (4) SHARING; (5) CONCERN FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE; AND (6) CLIENT LOYALTY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE EVALUATOR ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CLIENT AND REACH AN UNDERSTANDING AS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH OF THESE HUMAN VALUES IN THE EVALUATION. AN EVALUATION CONTRACT WITH A SCHOOL BOARD IS USED TO DEMONSTRATE CONFLICTS WHICH CAN ARISE. DOES THE CHILD'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY SUPERCEDE THE SCHOOL BOARD'S RIGHT TO KNOW? DOES THE EVALUATOR'S IMPOSITION OF PROFESSIONAL VIEWPOINTS DISTORT THE VALUES OF THE GROUP BEING INTERVIEWED? IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THESE CONFLICTS BE FACED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EVALUATION CONTRACT. THIS PAPER IS BASICALLY A COMMENTARY ON A DISCUSSION OF EVALUATION ETHICS BY WINDLE AND NEIGHER (NCJ 51173) AND CONTAINS MANY REFERENCES TO THEIR WORK. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)