Rapport

Rapport is the respectful relationship that the evaluator develops with the stakeholders in the evaluation setting. Whether in negotiating the contract for services; meeting with stakeholders to frame the scope and content of the evaluation; conducting interviews, focus groups, or other data collection activities; or reporting findings and encouraging evaluation use, it is important that evaluators convey respect for stakeholders’knowledge and experiences and strive to create a positive working relationship with all those involved in the evaluation process. Rapport is particularly important for eliciting honest, candid responses from interviewees.