Why is maintaining objectivity crucial for evaluators?

Maintaining objectivity is essential for evaluators primarily because it ensures that the findings of the evaluation can be trusted by stakeholders. Objectivity helps to eliminate personal biases and influences that might skew the results, allowing for a fair and accurate representation of the data collected. When evaluators remain objective, they strengthen the validity and reliability of their assessments, making it easier for stakeholders—such as funders, program staff, and community members—to have confidence in the conclusions drawn from the evaluation process. Ultimately, trustworthy findings facilitate informed decision-making and enhance the overall impact of the evaluation.