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Evaluation
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Reducing Anxiety and Resistance in Policy and Programme Evaluations

A Socio-Psychological Analysis

Iris Geva-May

Simon Fraser University, Canada igevamay{at}sfu.ca

Warren Thorngate

Carleton University, Canada warrant{at}ccs.carleton.ca

Evaluators of an organization whose programmes or policies are under evaluation frequently encounter anxiety and resistance from the evaluees. Literature abounds with suggestions for developing collaborative interactions. Few studies, if any, show circumstances where the evaluees' need for co-operation and support transcends the inherent anxiety and resistance and triggers for the evaluees' desire for moral support and advice. An analysis of the socio-psychological factors involved in the circumstances described in this study may shed light on how the evaluator can develop the evaluation process to enhance the collaboration with the evaluees. Here we report and analyse three case histories of such evaluations to determine the critical features of the evaluations that made them collaborative rather than conflictual. The common issues raised shed light on practices that alleviate anxiety in the evaluation process.

Key Words: collaboration • policy • politics • programme • resistance

Evaluation, Vol. 9, No. 2, 205-227 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1356389003009002006
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