ABSTRACT

Empowerment evaluation is an evaluation approach which entered the evaluation arena in 1993 (Miller & Campbell, 2006). It was initially introduced at the American Evaluation Association conference by David Fetterman. Since its inception, it has been utilized in a variety of contexts including individualistic, organizational, institutional and community-based settings (Fetterman, 1998). Empowerment evaluation draws its origins from empowerment theory, community psychology, and action anthropology. It emerged in rejoinder to Positivist models which have been criticised as being too value-free in their aim to maintain objectivity (Potter, 1999). Its primary aim is “to help people help themselves” (Fetterman, 1996, p.5). Thus, it endeavours to improve existing policies and programmes, in addition to providing capacitation skills for community growth. Empowerment evaluation can essentially be classified as a model which falls within the realm of Critical-emancipatory approaches to programme evaluation (Potter, 1999) since it aims to challenge the status quo via its recognition of social problems. This set of teaching materials is designed to introduce individuals to empowerment evaluation and, it is intended to be a resource for facilitating an introductory lecture on the topic. The materials consist of a PowerPoint presentation and a set of content notes to assist the facilitator.