The clinical approach: Triangulated program evaluation and adjustment

In the discussion about “enlightenment” or “utilization” in program evaluation, it is increasingly clear that the discussants implicitly refer to different professional contexts. Weiss, in Alkin (1990), using the “scientist” approach appears to reflect upon the academic context of the traditional university, where, beyond the land grant institutions, “enlightenment” is the honored objective. In contrast, Patton (Alkin, 1990) speaks from the clinical perspective of the organization consultant, with “utilization” the essential element in the evaluator-client relationship. Yet, those contextual differences notwithstanding, each party defends its case on the implicit assumption ofone methodological procedure of program evaluation—equally shared by both. Correcting this assumption, this article articulates major principles and methods of the “clinical” approach in program evaluation. The method has been tested in the field in western Europe and the United States. Its characteristic difference with the academic tradition is that in clinical evaluation, improving the program is part of the method. Mark van de Vall is professor of Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam and adjunct professor at SUNY / Buffalo.