In program evaluation vs research, which statement best describes their difference?

• A. The two activities have distinct goals and separate data collection methods
• B. Program evaluation assesses effectiveness and efficiency of services; research seeks new knowledge and generalizable findings
• C. Program evaluation focuses on improving services without data collection
• D. Research is limited to laboratory experiments

Answer: (B)

Program evaluation centers on understanding how well a service works in real-world settings and whether it provides good value, with the aim of improving the program and guiding decisions about continuing, modifying, or scaling it. It relies on data collected within the program context, using methods chosen to inform practical decisions and stakeholder needs. Research, on the other hand, seeks to generate new knowledge and findings that can generalize beyond a single program or site, often pursuing theory-building and using designs that support broader claims. This combination makes the statement that best describes their difference: program evaluation assesses effectiveness and efficiency of services; research seeks new knowledge and generalizable findings. The other descriptions aren’t accurate because evaluations do involve data collection to judge a program, research isn’t limited to lab experiments, and the boundary between evaluation and research can involve practical, field-based evidence rather than a strict separation.