Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 423-428 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Research evaluation |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 1 Oct 2022 |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Feb 2023 |
Abstract
This introduction outlines the analytical potential of the concept of ‘device’ that is key to the special issue ‘Devices of evaluation’. Evaluation relies not only on the human capacity to value, classify, compare, or judge, but also on social operators that affect evaluations in different ways. The notion of ‘devices’ puts the focus not on human actors but on things, tools, and instruments, on (infra-)structures and procedures, on assemblages and constellations which human actors either draw on when they attribute value or worth, or which have their own agentic capacity and facilitate or enforce evaluations themselves. We propose three perspectives through which a focus on devices can have analytical potential and thus contribute to the study of evaluation in academia: Devices facilitate and accomplish evaluation as trans-situational relays, they connect different forms of evaluation, and they enable, guide, and shape comparisons among very different valuation constellations and contexts. Broadening the focus in this way, the concept can improve our understanding of the non-human side of evaluation. The contributions to this special convey the idea that devices of evaluation are crucial for understanding the production, diffusion, and institutionalization of value and worth in academic contexts.
Keywords
- agency, comparison, devices, evaluation, impact, institutionalization, valuation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Education
- Social Sciences(all)
- Library and Information Sciences
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In: Research evaluation, Vol. 31, No. 4, 16.02.2023, p. 423-428.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Devices of evaluation
T2 - Institutionalization and impact—Introduction to the special issue
AU - Hamann, Julian
AU - Blome, Frerk
AU - Kosmützky, Anna
N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by Volkswagen Foundation (grant number: Az 96 071).
PY - 2023/2/16
Y1 - 2023/2/16
N2 - This introduction outlines the analytical potential of the concept of ‘device’ that is key to the special issue ‘Devices of evaluation’. Evaluation relies not only on the human capacity to value, classify, compare, or judge, but also on social operators that affect evaluations in different ways. The notion of ‘devices’ puts the focus not on human actors but on things, tools, and instruments, on (infra-)structures and procedures, on assemblages and constellations which human actors either draw on when they attribute value or worth, or which have their own agentic capacity and facilitate or enforce evaluations themselves. We propose three perspectives through which a focus on devices can have analytical potential and thus contribute to the study of evaluation in academia: Devices facilitate and accomplish evaluation as trans-situational relays, they connect different forms of evaluation, and they enable, guide, and shape comparisons among very different valuation constellations and contexts. Broadening the focus in this way, the concept can improve our understanding of the non-human side of evaluation. The contributions to this special convey the idea that devices of evaluation are crucial for understanding the production, diffusion, and institutionalization of value and worth in academic contexts.
AB - This introduction outlines the analytical potential of the concept of ‘device’ that is key to the special issue ‘Devices of evaluation’. Evaluation relies not only on the human capacity to value, classify, compare, or judge, but also on social operators that affect evaluations in different ways. The notion of ‘devices’ puts the focus not on human actors but on things, tools, and instruments, on (infra-)structures and procedures, on assemblages and constellations which human actors either draw on when they attribute value or worth, or which have their own agentic capacity and facilitate or enforce evaluations themselves. We propose three perspectives through which a focus on devices can have analytical potential and thus contribute to the study of evaluation in academia: Devices facilitate and accomplish evaluation as trans-situational relays, they connect different forms of evaluation, and they enable, guide, and shape comparisons among very different valuation constellations and contexts. Broadening the focus in this way, the concept can improve our understanding of the non-human side of evaluation. The contributions to this special convey the idea that devices of evaluation are crucial for understanding the production, diffusion, and institutionalization of value and worth in academic contexts.
KW - agency
KW - comparison
KW - devices
KW - evaluation
KW - impact
KW - institutionalization
KW - valuation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85160837799&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/reseval/rvac047
DO - 10.1093/reseval/rvac047
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85160837799
VL - 31
SP - 423
EP - 428
JO - Research evaluation
JF - Research evaluation
SN - 0958-2029
IS - 4
ER -