Understanding the Distinct Worlds of Research & Evaluation

Feature

Research

Evaluation

Definition

By the books, research refers to a systematic study of sources and literature focused on deriving new conclusions and facts. It adds to the existing scientific or social knowledge. The research process will include collecting info using survey software, organizing and analysing the information to expand the knowledge base on a particular topic.

Whereas evaluation means, assessment or a judgement about the number, amount or value of something. It works on some standards that are set to determine the worth and significance of a subject.

Example

When scientists at NASA are working on building a new rocket. They will research about the existing knowledge they have and will look for new solutions to the updated issues.

When an examiner decides to grade the students’ performance on a test. He is evaluating the performance to decide how well the students did.

Aim

Research focuses on gaining the conclusions or facts that can be generalized, theoretical outcomes and are controlled by the researchers.

Evaluation focuses on specific and applied knowledge, within the set boundaries and is controlled by those who are funding it.

Audiences

Research conclusions are made public and known to everyone.

As evaluation is sponsored, it is owned by the funding team.

Data sources

Has the most reliable references.

Depends on the wide range of evidence due to wide field evaluation.

Decisions

It is used to make macro decisions and generalized ones.

Used for micro decisions which are related to a specific topic or subject.

Concerns

It roots for how something works and all the knowledge about it.

It focuses on how well and efficiently something works and its significance.

Origins

It starts when experts in a particular field decide to take on research for a certain topic.

It is started by a group of sponsors’ or stakeholders and conducted under their guidelines.

Intended results

Research might not tell in advance what the outcome is going to be.

Evaluation has its outcomes pre-defined and checks for it in the data it comes across.

Ownership

The research is owned by the researcher and the experts who decided to conduct the study.

Evaluation is led by the stakeholders and is owned by them.

Reporting authority

They are reported to stakeholders, higher research experts or even publications.

They are solely reported to the stakeholders or sponsors.

Quality standards

Quality is judged by peers or pre-defined standards that were jotted down before the research.

Quality is judged by the stakeholders for whom the evaluation was started in the first place.

Time framing

It is generally ongoing and doesn’t have time limits, though this is not the case with the funded research.

It starts along with the projects and ends with it as well.

Result applications

It uses the results as proof of conclusions or facts or hypotheses.

Its results are designed to improve efficiency and enhancements.

Theory usage

Research theory can be used for research findings.

It is majorly field-dependent and doesn’t depend on theory.