2010 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 2_1-2_13
Empowerment evaluation advocated by David. M Fetterman is the use of evaluation concepts and techniques to foster transformation and self-determination. In this article, applicability and issues of empowerment evaluation is investigated through case study on empowerment evaluation of community program for health promotion in Tokyo. It provides an opportunity for a group of participants to empower themselves through evaluation activities as well as to internalize self-evaluation mechanism for continuous improvement in the related organization. Major roles of evaluators include facilitator, trainer of evaluation know-how and even direct advocate to help the group be empowered. Empowerment evaluation appears most appropriate when the program itself has agenda of empowerment and social transformation. The mixed use of empowerment evaluation and conventional evaluations would make it possible to implement value-pluralistic evaluations. The accumulation of experiences of empowerment evaluation in Japan is expected for further testing and adjustment of its theory and methodology.