Ecology and Evolutionary Biology’s Unique Contribution to Evaluation
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Abstract
Background: Evaluation recognizes the need to consider three constructs – program change over time, the consequences of program action over time, and relationships between programs with their environments. Our methods for studying these constructs are home grown, i.e. they have developed almost exclusively within our field. These constructs, however, have a long and deep history in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB). Thus it makes sense to consider how EEB might contribute to the models. methodologies, and data analysis strategies that evaluation applies to program change, outcomes, and program/environment interactions. Further, in recent years evaluation has been paying ever greater attention to how complex system behavior affects programs and their outcomes. Much in the fields of EEB can be seen as a subset of complexity.
Purpose: This article has two purposes: 1) to convince evaluators that EEB can empower their efforts to evaluate change over time in programs, outcomes, and program/environment effects, and 2) to spur the growth of a group of evaluators with an interest in further exploring EEB’s contribution to our field
Setting: Not applicable.
Intervention: Not applicable.
Research Design: Not applicable.
Data Collection and Analysis: Not applicable.
Findings: Not applicable.
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