Which evaluation type is aimed at improving the research process during COPAR?

Formative evaluation is designed specifically to enhance the research process throughout the stages of a project. This type of evaluation focuses on gathering feedback and information while the research or project is ongoing, allowing researchers to make adjustments and improvements in real-time. By providing opportunities for reflection, formative evaluation encourages learning from experiences and ensures that the research aligns more closely with its objectives.

In the context of Community Participatory Action Research (COPAR), formative evaluation is particularly valuable because it promotes collaboration among participants and researchers, fostering an iterative learning process that can adapt to new insights. This continuous feedback loop helps in refining methodologies, addressing challenges as they arise, and enhancing overall project outcomes.

Other types of evaluation, such as summative evaluation, typically assess the effectiveness of a project at its conclusion, focusing on the results rather than the process. Comparative evaluation emphasizes comparing different methods or outcomes, while null evaluation generally indicates a lack of assessment and does not contribute to improving research processes. Hence, formative evaluation distinctly stands out as the most relevant to improving the research process during COPAR.