ABSTRACT
The work of E. Chelimsky examines how evaluation can best be placed within a political framework by describing its link with the political process. C. Weiss also examines the ways in which politics can influence evaluations. He argues that 'negative' pressure may be exerted in ways that bias the scope of evaluation research, for example to press for unrealistic time frames or to seek to influence research findings. O. Karlsson argues that power in the evaluation process and the connection between evaluation and politics is also visible when considering which criteria should be used for selection and judgement of what should be evaluated in a programme evaluation and in meta evaluation. In the author view there is no real solution to the political issues, including hidden agendas and other pressures which exist within and around evaluation. Evaluators should be clear about the theoretical line they are applying to evaluations and to be honest about the limitations of their work.
