What does evaluation mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌɛvəljuˈeɪʃən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The systematic determination of the merit, worth, and significance of something, or of the effectiveness and impact of an action or decision.

Examples

• The teacher conducted an evaluation of the student’s performance.
• The company’s evaluation of the new policy revealed some unexpected consequences.

Synonyms

• Assessment
• Appraisal
• Analysis

Antonyms

• Guess
• Speculation
• Intuition

Additional Information

Evaluation is a critical thinking process that involves gathering and analyzing data, identifying patterns and relationships, and making informed judgments about the value, quality, or effectiveness of something. It is a crucial aspect of decision-making, problem-solving, and learning in various fields, including education, business, healthcare, and research.

In education, evaluation is used to assess student learning outcomes, teaching effectiveness, and program quality. In business, evaluation is used to assess the performance of employees, teams, and organizations, as well as the effectiveness of strategies and policies. In healthcare, evaluation is used to assess the quality of care, patient outcomes, and the effectiveness of treatments and interventions.

Evaluation can be formative or summative. Formative evaluation is used to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement, while summative evaluation is used to assess the overall value or effectiveness of something at the end of a process or project.

Etymology

The word “evaluation” comes from the Latin words “ex” (out) and “valere” (to be strong). It originally meant “to draw out the value or worth of something.” Over time, the meaning of the word has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, including the systematic determination of merit, worth, and significance.

Usage Notes

Evaluation is often used interchangeably with “assessment,” but the two words have distinct meanings. Assessment refers to the process of gathering data, while evaluation refers to the process of interpreting and making judgments about the data.

Evaluation can be used in a variety of contexts, including education, business, healthcare, and research. It is an essential skill for professionals in these fields, as it enables them to make informed decisions and improve outcomes.

Cultural References

Evaluation has been referenced in popular culture in various ways, including in films, literature, and music. For example, the movie “The Matrix” features a scene in which the main character, Neo, undergoes an evaluation by the machines to determine his worthiness to join the human resistance.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Under evaluation
• Subject to evaluation
• Evaluation period

Related Words or Phrases

• Assessment
• Appraisal
• Analysis
• Feedback

Collocations

• Evaluation form
• Evaluation criteria
• Evaluation process
• Evaluation report

Frequency of Use

Evaluation is a moderately common word in modern language, with a frequency of use of around 2.5 per million words.

Common Misspellings

• Evaluaton
• Evalutation
• Evaluationn