Predictive Evaluation

Abstract

There has been extensive discussion of the relation of evaluation to: (i) research; (ii) explanations (a.k.a. theory-driven, logic model, or realistic evaluation); and (iii) recommendations, from each of which it is logically distinct, although there are times when they do and should overlap in practice. Making the distinction is not a mere linguistic issue since it vitally affects practice and the whole process of learning and teaching evaluation, and responsibly providing evaluation services. It is now time to look more carefully at the ghost at the banquet, (iv) prediction.