The World of Evaluation: Challenges Faced by Student Evaluators

Abstract

Background: Performing a high profile evaluation in a world-class organization is a daunting experience for any professional program evaluator. As a student evaluator, it is more than just formidable it has distinctive challenges. Fortunately, professional undertakings provide student evaluators with the experience and tools to overcome these early tests with continuing practice. Purpose: This paper discusses the challenges that student evaluators face in performing their first program evaluation project. It will draw from the experience of one student’s first major evaluation project and current, but limited, research on the subject. Setting: NA Intervention: NA Research Design:  This paper will examine the broad-spectrum of challenges that student evaluators experience in their first assignment referencing as a case study an actual evaluation of a hospital risk-assessment program implementation. Data Collection and Analysis: Literature review and documented evaluator experiences. Findings: This paper will conclude with a discussion of possible mitigation strategies to overcome these student evaluator challenges.