Beyond the Technical and Bureaucratic Theories of Utilization: Some Thoughts on Synthesizing Reviews and the Knowledge Base of the Evaluation Profession

Technical and bureaucratic considerations frame current theories of utilization. These theorees distract attention from the range of broad substantive knowledge evaluators have generated. Two proposals recognize that this knowledge reservoir can help promote use if its contents are properly organized; both, however, have limitations. Data synthesis assumes scores of statistically comparable studies. Social problem study groups are not well-designed for making the knowledge frontiers they define generally accessible. This article suggests supplementing these approaches to building knowledge with an increased emphasis on synthesizing reviews. Even though such reviews currently enjoy modest status at best, they serve to strengthen the profession and promote utilization.