Naturalistic Evaluation: Potential Conflicts Between Evaluation Standards and Criteria for Conducting Naturalistic Inquiry

Although the use of naturalistic methods in educational evaluation is growing, the practical implications of this practice are unclear. Through a description and comparison of standards for evaluation and criteria for judging naturalistic inquiries, a few potential conflicts are identified. Analysis of the problems evaluators could encounter while using naturalistic methods suggests that compromises in the use of evaluation standards and criteria for naturalistic procedures are usually necessary. However, it is argued that when the evaluation needs warrant the use of naturalistic techniques, cautious flexibility in using the few standards and criteria in potential conflict seems well justified.