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 evaluated. When using evidence-based methods, merit is therefore objectified through defining relevant criteria to determine the value of that which is received, as determined by those receiving benefit from the evaluand. For example, if evaluating the effectiveness of an educational program, completing the program is thought to have value to those who have graduated

Evaluation science also explores considerations of value for others connected to the evaluand, in addition to those who are expected to receive benefit. In the case of an educational program, these considerations of value could involve those who have commissioned the evaluation (e.g., funders and administrators), those who are responsible for that which is being evaluated (e.g., administrators), others who are part of that which is being evaluated (e.g., employees or volunteers), and those who are indirectly impacted by that which is being evaluated (e.g., groups and society more broadly). With these multiple perspectives potentially having similarities and differences, merit is determined by the value not only for those receiving the benefit of that which is evaluated but also for others in the setting.

In determining merit, it is important to also consider two related terms, worth and significance. Along with merit, worth and significance provide the foundation for evaluation. Merit has been determined to be inherent, intrinsic, and context free; a value element of the evaluand. Worth also illustrates value, but it is identified as extrinsic in that it is contextually determined and often incorporates a cost-related value in a comparative fashion. Significance is associated with importance or size and also reflects how those impacted the view of the evaluand. As such, worth and significance may be influenced by contextual or situational factors outside of merit.

The critical feature of merit is the recognition that it must be based on evidence and logic as applied in evaluation work and used to determine whether and how well an evaluand meets its objectives or outcome criteria or provides value.

See also Applied Research; Evaluation; Formative Evaluation; Process Evaluation; Summative Evaluation