Defining the Goal Free Evaluation Approach
The Goal Free Evaluation Approach is indeed a rare occurrence and almost possesses a contradictory name. We are taught in most circumstances that if we are to do something that it should have a pre-determined objective or goal. The title of ‘goal free’ implies that there is no such objective. However, goal free evaluations approaches are unique and do indeed possess an objective or goal. The idea here is that an evaluator is identified to examine a specific program but is not privy to information about the program or its objectives, but rather assigned to review and assess the program and determine:
A. what they objectives are;
B. if they are being met and;
C. if they possess value.
Owen (2007) states that “Practically, the notion of deliberately ignoring the intentions of a programmatic intervention borders on the bizarre…
However, the notion of goal free has led to one important aspect of practice – examining unintended as well as intended outcomes (p.258).”
Throughout the goal free evaluation process, program stakeholders go to great lengths to ensure that the goal free evaluator is kept from knowing the pre-determined goals and objectives of the program and away from information pertaining to these goals and objectives. Branden W. Youker PHD (2014) is the Assistant Professor of Social Work at Grand Valley State University. In his research on goal free evaluation he found that goal free evaluation is successful when the information pertaining to the programs goals are kept from the evaluator; “this is accomplished
by appointing a screener to keep goal-related information from the goal-free evaluator. Screening the evaluator from program goals is designed to control bias inherent in goal-based evaluation, a bias that contaminates the evaluator’s ability to see the program’s true outcomes and true
merit.”
The Goal Free Evaluation Approach is indeed a rare occurrence and almost possesses a contradictory name. We are taught in most circumstances that if we are to do something that it should have a pre-determined objective or goal. The title of ‘goal free’ implies that there is no such objective. However, goal free evaluations approaches are unique and do indeed possess an objective or goal. The idea here is that an evaluator is identified to examine a specific program but is not privy to information about the program or its objectives, but rather assigned to review and assess the program and determine:
A. what they objectives are;
B. if they are being met and;
C. if they possess value.
Owen (2007) states that “Practically, the notion of deliberately ignoring the intentions of a programmatic intervention borders on the bizarre…
However, the notion of goal free has led to one important aspect of practice – examining unintended as well as intended outcomes (p.258).”
Throughout the goal free evaluation process, program stakeholders go to great lengths to ensure that the goal free evaluator is kept from knowing the pre-determined goals and objectives of the program and away from information pertaining to these goals and objectives. Branden W. Youker PHD (2014) is the Assistant Professor of Social Work at Grand Valley State University. In his research on goal free evaluation he found that goal free evaluation is successful when the information pertaining to the programs goals are kept from the evaluator; “this is accomplished
by appointing a screener to keep goal-related information from the goal-free evaluator. Screening the evaluator from program goals is designed to control bias inherent in goal-based evaluation, a bias that contaminates the evaluator’s ability to see the program’s true outcomes and true
merit.”