Examining the impact of evaluation professionalization in Canada on the positioning, practice and employability of evaluators

Brower, Krista and Saunders, Murray (2024) Examining the impact of evaluation professionalization in Canada on the positioning, practice and employability of evaluators. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This thesis presents an exploration of the impact of evaluation professionalization through credentialization, with a particular focus on the Canadian context, where the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) has pioneered the Professional Designation Program (PDP) incorporating the 'CE' designation. Employing a mixed, multi-methods approach, this study sought to address research questions concerning the positioning, practice and employability of evaluators. The overarching research question examined the effects of evaluation professionalization in Canada, while sub-research questions compared the Canadian model to international counterparts, delved into the experiences of 'CE' designated evaluators, and drew insights from the application of a credential for evaluation in the Canadian context. Research findings revealed multifaceted impacts, highlighting that evaluation is a social construct affecting professionalization, identifying barriers to qualification-based approaches, and emphasizing the multidimensionality of professionalization's impact in Canada. The study's outcomes contribute valuable insights to the field of evaluation professionalization, providing guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and professional associations in Canada and globally. Ultimately, this research advances our understanding of the complexities surrounding evaluation professionalization and seeks to bolster the evaluation profession's development on a broader scale.