Content area
Abstract
Metaevaluation is the process of delineating, obtaining, and applying descriptive information and judgmental information about the utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy of an evaluation in order to guide the evaluation and to publicly report its strengths and weaknesses. Formative metaevaluations are undertaken either in planning an evaluation or while it is in progress. They assist evaluators to plan, conduct, improve, interpret, and report their evaluation studies. Summative metaevaluations are conducted following the completion of an evaluation and help audiences to see an evaluation's strengths and weaknesses and to judge its merit and worth against the standards of good evaluation practice. Metaevaluations are in the public and professional interests to assure that evaluations provide sound conclusions and guidance. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]