Informed consent in evaluation: informed of what, exactly?

Australia’s 2007 National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research includes a requirement for informed consent from research participants. This paper discusses how the dynamics of bio-medical research, which underlie the national statement and processes aligned to it, differ from the dynamics often encountered by researchers conducting program evaluations with particular reference to two areas: the multiple layers of power that interact in a typical program evaluation, and the risks experienced by evaluation stakeholders in the late stages of the process. Implications for informed consent in evaluations are outlined and future steps proposed.