Positionality in Evaluation: Impact of Individual,Cultural,and Organizational Values on Evaluation Practice

Abstract

The concept of positionality has been discussed widely in qualitative research, though its role in evaluation practice remains underdeveloped. This paper presents a conceptual framework that captures how evaluators’ individual identities, cultural backgrounds, and organizational affiliations interact with those of community partners to shape evaluation practice. Drawing on social psychology theories and lived experience, we illustrate how biases and social identities inform evaluators’ perspectives, methodological choices, and relationships with stakeholders. The framework emphasizes that positionality is not static; it is co-constructed through dialogue, context, and evolving roles. Through a reflective dialogue among the authors, we explore the tensions between individual values and institutional expectations, especially amid increasing political and regulatory constraints. We recommend that reflexivity and attention to positionality should be considered core competencies in evaluation practice, and conclude by advocating for evaluative relationships marked by curiosity, accountability, and care.