Hi. Now I understand that the improvement focus is important in any kind of evaluation, but I still hope to know more about it. For example, is there any difference between formative evaluation and summative evaluation? It seems that the formative evaluation should put more emphasis on improvement focus to improve the program, is that true?

It’s my pleasure.

I see. Thank you for the kind reply.

Not really. Formative evaluations explicitly look for ways to improve the program, whether by correcting actual mistakes or unanticipated problems or by building on particularly successful components. Even with summative evaluations, however, an improvement focus will make an important contribution whether the program is directly replicated or adapted to fit new settings, circumstances, or methods.