Assumptions
Fetterman (1994, 1996) assumes that with the facilitation of an evaluator, stakeholders are
capable of and willing to invest in the ongoing processes of evaluation design, implementation,
and analysis in order to continually assess and improve their program. By contrast,my approach
views stakeholders as varying greatly in their potential investment in evaluation processes.
Regardless of the limitations to their investment in the process, their input and perspectives
must be incorporated at every stage of the evaluation to the extent that is feasible. This way,
stakeholders can ultimately have an effect on their program’s functioning, albeit not as directly
as in Fetterman’s model. This promotes empowerment without placing an undue burden on
stakeholders (Sullins & Alawy, 1999).