Ethical Considerations in Program Evaluation: Principles, Practices, and Applications
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pr-ev-bt-pr-10
This material forms part of the NEYA Global knowledge architecture. Institutional, organizational, professional, training, consulting, curriculum, program design, or implementation use requires an active license from NEYA Global
Explore Architecture →
Module Overview →
Request Institutional Access →
About the Article
Ethics are fundamental to the legitimacy and credibility of program evaluation. This article explores the principles and practices that ensure evaluations protect participant rights, maintain integrity, and foster stakeholder trust. It emphasizes informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural competence while addressing evaluator bias, transparency, and professional accountability. Drawing on standards such as those of the American Evaluation Association, it highlights the importance of independent review and peer validation. Real-world cases from health, education, and development contexts illustrate practical responses to ethical challenges, including privacy, inclusivity, and evaluator impartiality. By embedding ethical considerations into every stage of the evaluation cycle, non-profits can ensure that findings are rigorous, actionable, and respectful of the communities they serve.
Key Topics
- Core ethical principles in program evaluation
- Informed consent and confidentiality
- Mitigating evaluator bias and ensuring objectivity
- Transparency and professional accountability
- Cultural competence in evaluation practice
- Real-world applications of ethical principles
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Ethical Considerations in Program Evaluation: Principles, Practices, and Applications. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pr-ev-bt-pr-10
References
| Chambers, R. (1994). Participatory rural appraisal (PRA): Challenges, potentials and paradigm. World Development, 22(10), 1437-1454. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-750X(94)90030-2 | ||||
| Fitzpatrick, J. L., Sanders, J. R., & Worthen, B. R. (2011). Program evaluation: Alternative approaches and practical guidelines (4th ed.). Pearson. | ||||
| Greene, J. C. (2007). Mixed methods in social inquiry. Jossey-Bass. | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Program Evaluation: Frameworks and Best Practices. NEYA Global Publishing. | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Monitoring & Evaluation in International Development. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/monitoring-evaluation-international-development-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Tools for Strategic Evaluation. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/tools-evaluation-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Qualitative Research Methods. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/qualitative-research-methods-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Ethical Considerations in Program Evaluation. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pr-evl-fr-bst-pr-09 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Reporting and Communicating Evaluation Findings in Non-Profit Programs. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. | ||||
| Patton, M. Q. (2008). Utilization-focused evaluation (4th ed.). Sage. | ||||
| Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Freeman, H. E. (2004). Evaluation: A systematic approach (7th ed.). Sage. | ||||
| Weiss, C. H. (1998). Evaluation: Methods for studying programs and policies (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. | ||||
