In this paper, the author argues that evaluation theory and practice interact insufficiently today, even though early evaluation theorists expected them to be closely intertwined. She views this limited connection as the result of differing interests on the part of theorists and practitioners, differing frequencies of dissemination, and differing…

Some questions about the relationship between program evaluation and forecasting are raised. Contrasting the two fields in terms of mind-set, purpose, problems, advantages, and use shows that although their modes of inquiry are indeed very different in many ways, there is interdependence between the two in several areas. (Author/JAZ)

The politics of program evaluation are discussed from the personal perspective of the Director of the General Accounting Office's Program Evaluation and Methodology Division, which has produced reports for committees of the United States Congress. It is concluded that successful evaluations must be useful to others and must understand the…