Evaluate vs. Review: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
To evaluate is to assess or determine the value, quality, or condition of something, whereas to review is to examine or assess something formally with the possibility or intention of instituting change if necessary.
Key Differences
When you evaluate something, you are conducting an assessment to determine its value, worth, or quality. Evaluating involves making judgments based on criteria and standards, and it is often carried out to understand the effectiveness or appropriateness of something. In contrast, reviewing is the act of going over or examining carefully and critically, often to provide feedback, identify mistakes, or ensure accuracy.
Reviewing, on the other hand, may not necessarily involve making a judgment about the quality or value of the item in question. A review can be a retrospective view or reconsideration of a subject or thing, and it might lead to the revision or alteration of the said subject or thing. It can include summarizing, synthesizing, and commenting on the material, without an explicit assessment of its value or quality.
Evaluation is more judgmental and typically involves the use of metrics or standards to make a qualitative or quantitative assessment. For instance, a teacher might evaluate a student’s performance based on a set of predetermined criteria and provide a grade or feedback accordingly. Review, meanwhile, is often more explorative and analytical, intending to understand and interpret the material, which can be a book, an article, a performance, or any other subject matter.
While reviewing and evaluating can have different emphases, they often overlap in practice, with reviewing being a component of the evaluative process. Evaluation tends to be more objective and focused on measuring against standards, while a review might be more subjective and focused on understanding, interpreting, and providing insights into the material.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To assess value or quality based on set criteria.
To examine or assess possibly to institute change.
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Nature
More judgmental and often quantitative.
More analytical and often qualitative.
Outcome
Usually results in a judgment or rating.
May result in feedback, summary, or commentary.
Focus
On meeting standards or criteria.
On understanding and interpreting the material.
Subjectivity
Typically more objective.
Can be more subjective.
Evaluate and Review Definitions
Evaluate
To ascertain or determine the value or worth of something.
The teacher will evaluate the students' projects based on originality and thoroughness.
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Review
To examine or assess something formally.
The editor will review the manuscript for any inconsistencies.
Evaluate
To draw conclusions from examining.
After evaluating the available data, a decision will be made.
Review
To write a critical assessment of a book, play, movie, etc.
The critic will review the new play for the local newspaper.
Evaluate
To judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of.
We need to evaluate the risks before proceeding with the plan.
Review
To survey or recapitulate a discourse or topic.
The teacher will review the main points of the lecture at the end.
Evaluate
To assess the effectiveness or appropriateness of something.
The committee will evaluate the proposals for environmental sustainability.
Review
To look over, study, or examine again
Reviewed last week's lesson.
Evaluate
To form a critical opinion of something based on criteria.
The manager will evaluate your performance based on punctuality and productivity.
Review
To consider retrospectively; look back on
Reviewed the day's events.
Evaluate
To ascertain or fix the value or amount of
Evaluate the damage from the flood.
Review
To examine with an eye to criticism or correction
Reviewed the research findings.
Evaluate
To determine the importance, effectiveness, or worth of; assess
Evaluate teacher performance.
Review
To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
Evaluate
(Mathematics) To calculate the numerical value of; express numerically.
Review
(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.
Evaluate
(transitive) To draw conclusions from examining; to assess.
It will take several years to evaluate the material gathered in the survey.
Review
To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
Evaluate
To compute or determine the value of (an expression).
Evaluate this integral.
Review
To go over or restudy material
Reviewing for a final exam.
Evaluate
To return or have a specific value.
Review
To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.
Evaluate
To fix the value of; to rate; to appraise.
Review
A reexamination or reconsideration.
Evaluate
Place a value on; judge the worth of something;
I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
Review
A retrospective view or survey.
Review
A restudying of subject matter.
Review
An exercise for use in restudying material.
Review
A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.
Review
A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.
Review
An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation.
Review
A formal military inspection.
Review
A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or occasion.
Review
(Law) An evaluation conducted by a higher court of a decision made or action taken by a lower court to determine whether any error was made.
Review
A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.
Review
A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.
I need to make a review of the book before I can understand it.
Review
An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work.
The newspaper review was full of praise for the play.
Review
(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.
The victims demanded a full judicial review of the case.
Review
A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.
The Cambridge Footlights Review launched many Monty Python faces.
Review
A survey of the available items or material.
The magazine contained a review of Paris restaurants.
Review
A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.
The Times Literary Review is published in London.
Review
A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.
The troops assembled for a review by the Queen.
Review
A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.
The regulators demanded a review against NYSE practices.
Review
To survey; to look broadly over.
Before I tackle the question directly, I must briefly review historical approaches to the problem.
Review
To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.
The critic reviews every new play in London.
Review
To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.
Review
To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.
Review
(obsolete) To view or see again; to look back on.
Review
(obsolete) To retrace; to go over again.
Review
To view or see again; to look back on.
Review
To go over and examine critically or deliberately.
Review
To retrace; to go over again.
Shall I the long, laborious scene review?
Review
To look back; to make a review.
Review
A second or repeated view; a reëxamination; a retrospective survey; a looking over again; as, a review of one's studies; a review of life.
Review
An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.
Review
A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.
Review
A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.
Review
An inspection, as of troops under arms or of a naval force, by a high officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of discipline, equipments, etc.
Review
The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.
Review
A lesson studied or recited for a second time.
Review
A new appraisal or evaluation
Review
An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
Review
A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
Review
(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data
Review
A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
Review
A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
Review
A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
Review
(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
Review
Practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
Review
A formal or official examination;
The platoon stood ready for review
We had to wait for the inspection before we could use the elevator
Review
Look at again; examine again;
Let's review your situation
Review
Appraise critically;
She reviews books for the New York Times
Please critique this performance
Review
Hold a review (of troops)
Review
Refresh one's memory;
I reviewed the material before the test
Review
Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;
She reviewed her achievements with pride
Review
To go over with the intent of making corrections, adjustments, or improvements.
Please review your answers before submitting the test.
Review
To reconsider or reexamine critically.
The team will review the project’s goals to ensure they are still relevant.
FAQs
Does evaluating always involve giving a grade or score?
Not always, evaluation can also involve qualitative judgments.
Is evaluating a form of reviewing?
Evaluation can include reviewing as a component, but it also involves making judgments about value or quality.
Is evaluating always formal?
Evaluation can be both formal and informal, depending on the context.
Can reviewing lead to change?
Yes, reviewing can lead to identifying areas for change and improvement.
Do evaluations always have predefined criteria?
Typically, evaluations involve some form of criteria or standards, but they can vary in specificity.
Can evaluation be a continuous process?
Yes, evaluation can be ongoing, especially in contexts like continuous quality improvement.
Can reviews be done by groups?
Yes, reviews can be conducted by individuals or groups, such as review panels or committees.
Can a review be unbiased and objective?
Yes, reviews can be objective, but they often include subjective elements as well.
Is evaluation only about finding faults?
No, evaluation is about assessing both strengths and weaknesses, and it can be positive or negative.
Can a review be purely factual without opinions?
Yes, a review can be factual, summarizing content without providing opinions.
Is a book report a form of review?
Yes, a book report can be considered a type of review, typically summarizing and assessing a book.
Can anyone write a review?
Yes, anyone with sufficient knowledge or experience of the subject can write a review.
Are evaluations always conducted by superiors?
No, evaluations can be conducted by peers, subordinates, or oneself, depending on the context.
Can a review be evaluative?
Yes, a review can include evaluative elements and provide judgments about quality or value.
Can evaluations be changed or revised?
Yes, evaluations can be revised based on new information, additional context, or reconsideration of criteria.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
