What is a key concern for agency directors regarding evaluative research?

A key concern for agency directors regarding evaluative research is that the evaluation may highlight the agency's weaknesses. When evaluations are conducted, they often reveal areas where an agency may be underperforming or facing challenges. Agency directors are typically focused on the overall reputation and effectiveness of their organizations, so the potential for negative findings can be daunting.

Such weaknesses may lead to a loss of funding, damage the agency’s reputation, and erode public trust. Consequently, directors may feel that a thorough evaluation could expose vulnerabilities that they have been working to address, leading to further scrutiny from stakeholders, including clients, funders, and the media. The apprehension surrounding this possibility can greatly influence how directors approach or respond to evaluative research.

In contrast, while media attention and showcasing success could be seen as concerns, they generally do not carry the same weight of worry as the possibility of exposing inherent weaknesses within the agency.