The Role of Theory in University Evaluation Coursework

This paper examines how theory is conveyed to novice evaluators in university coursework, providing a new perspective on the role of theory in evaluation. Using a survey of university evaluation instructors in the United States, the authors examined instructor perspectives on the role of evaluation theory as well as the evaluation content in assigned textbooks. Analysis indicated a similar lack of coherence and consistency in the use of theory to that seen in evaluation practice. The findings support three takeaways for evaluation educators, practitioners, and scholars. First, the field must continue to clarify the role of theory in evaluation. Second, an in-depth analysis of authors’ approaches to discussing theory in textbooks is warranted. Third, textbook authors and publishers could consider the themes that emerged from instructors’ responses to inform book proposals and revisions of textbook editions to better suit the range of instructor needs.