Evaluating “Effectiveness” under the Policy on Results

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9784153
AutoresAmelie Nordstrom (0009-0000-1378-6805, Carleton University, autor de correspondencia), Ardyn Nordstrom
Año2026
Volumen69
Número1
Páginas87-109
Fecha de publicación2026-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCanadian Public Administration (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0008-4840 • E-ISSN: 1754-7121
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/capa.70053
OpenAlexW7134178122
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas23

Evaluation units provide essential information for administrators of public programs. Canada's 2016 Policy on Results emphasizes evaluating “effectiveness,” with a focus on outcomes. However, it is unclear if evaluation units use this or more implementation‐oriented definitions in practice, which has implications for the information evaluations will provide. This study examines 370 evaluation reports published by the largest federal departments to determine how evaluation functions are approaching effectiveness, using a combination of text mining and manual thematic analysis. Since 2014, evaluation reports have increasingly adopted implementation‐oriented approaches, with variations across departments. Explanations for these patterns are discussed, along with policy implications

Evaluation methods · Focus (optics · Government (linguistics · Information system · Public policy · Thematic analysis · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Health Policy Implementation Science · Public Policy and Administration Research