AEA Guiding Principles for Social Work Program Evaluators

Introduction

What approach should evaluators take when reviewing specific projects related to social work? This paper reviews and summarizes the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the likes and dislikes, associated with evaluators' appraisal of projects and programs related to social work. The central reference point is the American Evaluation Association's "Guiding Principles for Evaluators," examined both as a historical document and as a practical framework.

Development of AEA Evaluation Standards

Evaluating social work issues and programs carries enormous responsibilities. The Task Force from the American Evaluation Association (AEA) — in 1986 — set out to present and adopt a well-considered set of standards for the accurate and honest evaluation of social work programs. However, none of the recommendations made by the AEA were adopted, and no ethical standards or guiding principles were established at that time.

In 1992, the AEA Board established a new committee, chaired by David Cordray, whose purpose was to develop "a draft of guiding principles for evaluation" — not specific standards of practice (Scheirer, et al.). Task force members examined how other professional societies review relevant programs. Each member also presented progress reports at all board meetings, and drafts were mailed to all AEA members in 1993 with a request for feedback. After all input had been received and considered, a final draft was prepared. At the AEA board meeting in January 1994, the final draft was "approved for membership" (Scheirer).

Core Principles for Evaluators

In the completed document, the task force stressed that fairness, objectivity, and approved methodology must come into play. Careful consideration of changes made to a project subsequent to its original approved plans is also required. Evaluators should be candid about their own interests, the interests of their clients, and the interests of other stakeholders. They should disclose any potential conflicts of interest and take care to properly represent their findings. Evaluators must also remain alert in order to prevent or correct "any substantial misuses of their work by others" (Scheirer).

The keys to evaluators' effectiveness, as outlined in the guiding principles, include the following: (a) taking responsibility for the "diversity of interests and values" linked to the public; (b) maintaining a legitimate sense of respect for the "dignity," "security," and "self-worth of the respondents, program participants, clients and other stakeholders with whom they interact"; (c) demonstrating competence when relating to stakeholders; (d) presenting a "systematic inquiry" using the "highest appropriate technical standards" when conducting research and investigations; and (e) adhering to integrity and honesty throughout the entire evaluation process (Scheirer).

Conclusion

The AEA guiding principles represent a meaningful framework for social work program evaluators, emphasizing fairness, objectivity, and stakeholder engagement as foundational to ethical evaluation practice. The 2004 revisions further strengthen the framework by acknowledging real-world complexity and encouraging professional consultation when strict adherence to guidelines is not feasible. Together, these principles provide evaluators with both a moral foundation and practical flexibility for conducting rigorous, honest assessments of social work programs.