| Session Title: Values and Ethics: Challenges in Evaluation Practice |
| Think Tank Session 753 to be held in Pacific A on Friday, Nov 4, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the Presidential Strand |
| Presenter(s): |
| Michael Morris, University of New Haven, mmorris@newhaven.edu |
| Discussant(s): |
| Linda Schrader, Florida State University, lschrader@fsu.edu |
| Randall Davies, Brigham Young University, randy.davies@byu.edu |
| Bonnie Stabile, George Mason University, bstabile@gmu.edu |
| Abstract: This interactive session will explore the connections between values and ethics and how these issues are manifested in evaluation practice. The session especially welcomes new evaluators who are beginning to explore the values dimensions of their work. The presenters will begin with an overview of the "Guiding Principles" (AEA, 2004), followed by a discussion about how values are represented in ethical dilemmas. Participants will then be divided into groups to discuss various evaluation cases that represent different stages of an evaluation study - defining the scope of an evaluation, research design, data collection, and communication of results. Each case will include an ethical dilemma relevant to the particular stage of the evaluation that involves values and valuing. A set of questions will guide participants in small group discussions. |