What does "Ex Post Facto Evaluation" refer to in research?

"Ex Post Facto Evaluation" refers to the assessment of the value or outcomes of research after it has been conducted. In this context, it emphasizes analyzing the results and implications of a study once all data has been collected and analyzed. This allows researchers to understand the effectiveness, reliability, and significance of their research findings in the context of existing knowledge or specific outcomes.

The nature of ex post facto evaluations implies that they are retrospective, where insights gained can inform future research, policies, or practices based on the conclusions drawn from the previous study. This contrasts with evaluating data before research, which would not provide insights based on actual results. Similarly, setting research objectives and conducting a literature review both occur prior to carrying out the study and do not involve the assessment of completed research outcomes.