Merit

The word merit can be defined as the quality of being good, important, or useful; it can also refer to a quality or conduct deserving of praise or [Page 1051]reward. Historically, those in authority determined merit; however, with the advent of the scientific revolution, a more objective method of determining merit began.

In evaluation science, criteria are established to determine the value of that which is being assessed. Postmodern philosophy has contributed to evaluation science through the critique of rationality and logical positivism. Postmodern ideas correlate with changes in the definition of merit that are described here.

In evaluation settings, merit is an element of the purpose of an evaluation, where it is an approach to identifying the value of the evaluand or that which is being ...