The Potential Role of Standards and Guidelines in the Development of an Evaluation Culture in Spain

Abstract

This article discusses the potential role that the creation of evaluation standards or guidelines can play in developing an evaluation culture in Spain. Rather than focus on the ethical function of these standards or guidelines, this article discusses how the process of creating such codes, whenever this process is participatory and based on real evaluation practice, can help the academic and professional consolidation and institutionalization of the evaluation function. First, the different types of existing standards are discussed. Second, the general functions that they can play are elaborated, presenting the potential benefits of creating evaluation standards in Spain and highlighting key issues. In this regard, two important factors are identified: the participation of evaluation stakeholders in the standards elaboration process, and the need for meta-evaluations or systematic studies on actual evaluation practice.