Ethics in program evaluation

Ethics, the discipline of right, morals and principles that guide behaviors is especially important topic in the evaluation of programs . An effective ethics program provides tremendous benefits by detecting unethical behavior that can devastate an organization.

Ethics can be effective by rooting the ethics in core values and integrity. Any breaches found will be reported in a confidential manner, making sure that ethical issues are incorporated in the training programs.

Essential elements of ethics include assurances of support of the policies from organizational leadership, practical, guidance on what is expected regarding ethical issues, commitments concerning stakeholder’s relationships, details of implementation and monitoring of the ethics, and consequences of misconduct. All theses need to be implemented for people have adequate evaluation.

Ethical lapse can occur during evaluation which is simply a mistake or error in judgment that produces a harmful outcome. This doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of integrity but just an oversight or ethical blind sport.                 Ethical lapses can be small or large and can be publicized or kept private. Their action may not be listed or traditional source or religious dogma but still is a lapse in ethics.  Sometimes people act unethically simply because they have something to gain at others’ expense, and that is where lapse of conscience occurs. When evaluators do this, it will affect the outcome of the evaluation.

Ethical guidelines need to be followed, evaluations should address important questions provide clear and understandable results with meaning for recommendations. Evaluations also should be feasible so to be completed in a timely manner and cost efficient manner. It should be legal and ethical, most importantly must be reported accountably and impartially. We all know that it is not always the case due human self interest instead of the public.

Ethical issues during formulations of evaluation plan should include informed consent where the participant is fully informed about the evaluation being conducted.  No one should be forced to do anything without signing the consent form which will protect both parties anyway. Participants are should be free to withdraw anytime without penalty. NO harm should be done during evaluation process unintentionally or not. Confidentiality is very crucial, no one access the information except the coordinator.  Identity of the participant remains unknown to the team and any relevant components can be accessed focusing on the intentions of the evaluation not self interest.

Evaluation helps evaluators to make choices among future course of action. Careful and unbiased data on the consequences of programs should improve decision making. Any evaluators who fail to recognize this is not doing the job right.

Three political ethical concerns for an evaluation are as follows; ethical behaviors, politics and standards and guiding principles of evaluation. Ethics are complicated, now law and standard can cover every possible situation. Some behaviors can be legal but still unethical. Sometimes evaluators may be convinced to go against ethical standards like willingness to trust  and produce positive findings due to conflict of interests. There could be personal prejudices or preconceived notions. Sometimes promises not kept and failure to honor commitment makes evaluators in unprofessional ways.

Politics can determine the integrity of an evaluation, sometimes people being evaluated avoid unwanted formal scrutiny of their activities’ by denying need for evaluation.

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