Hierarchy of Research & Evaluation Motivations

Hierarchy of Research & Evaluation Motivations

Why do some people and organizations conduct research and evaluation? 

Based on 10 years of experience conducting research and evaluation into psychology and outdoor education, I developed a 7-stage hierarchy, which is also influenced by the following stage models:

• Freud's iceberg model of human consciousness

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Prochasta and Diclemente's Transtheoretical Model - Stages of Change

• Wilber's Spectrum of Consciousness - see Ken Wilber - Basic Concepts

Progression through the 7 stages can start from any point and need not progress linearly (e.g., a change in leadership can cause a big leap up or down).

-1. Active disinterest or intentional non-engagement with research and evaluation due to fear or misunderstanding.

0. Denial or non-awareness that research and evaluation could be a potentially valuable option.

1. The lowest level of motivation for actually conducting research and evaluation takes place when a person or organization is forced, such as being required by a funding agency.

2. An organization may seek out research and evaluation, but do so primarily for marketing and funding purposes.

3. An organization may seek to find out more about their program through research and evaluation because they genuinely want to learn about and improve the quality of the program.

4. An organization may conduct research and evaluation not only for program improvement but also to contribute to the development of a profession or industry.

5. An organization may conduct research and evaluation primarily for the sake of humanity and the cosmos.