What are “external evaluators”?

External evaluators refer to independent individuals or organizations that are brought in to assess a program's effectiveness, without being directly involved in the program's design or implementation. This independence is crucial because it helps ensure that the evaluation is objective and unbiased. External evaluators bring a fresh perspective, often possess specialized expertise in research methodologies, and can therefore provide valuable insights that internal staff might overlook due to familiarity or vested interests in the program. By remaining separate from the program operations, these evaluators can rigorously analyze data, conduct interviews, and engage in observations that reflect the program's impact more accurately. Their findings can then inform stakeholders and funders, ultimately leading to improved decision-making regarding the program's future.

In contrast, the other options describe roles that do not fit the typical definition of an external evaluator. Internal staff members assessing their own programs may have conflicts of interest or biases due to their involvement. Stakeholders providing feedback, while important, do not conduct formal evaluations and usually lack the independence needed for an objective assessment. Likewise, funders evaluating financial aspects are focused primarily on financial performance rather than the broader questions of effectiveness and impact that external evaluators address.