Donna Westfall-Rudd

Factors affecting evaluation culture within a non-formal educational organization

While research has been done on many aspects of evaluation within a variety of contexts and organizations, there is a lack of research surrounding the culture of evaluation. This study set out to examine this evaluative culture in one of the worlds largest non-formal educational organizations through the use of an online survey and quantitative methodology. A path model was developed to examine the factors affecting evaluation culture. Results show perception regarding evaluation, program area, college major, location, training in evaluation, degree level, and years of experience explained 28% of the variance within evaluation culture. Results also found that the culture of evaluation is greatly impacted by leadership. By taking a closer look at the evaluation culture of a large non-formal educational organization, much can be learned about how to better develop and support evaluative work in other similar organizations and programs.