Evaluate vs. Review: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To assess value or quality based on set criteria.
To examine or assess possibly to institute change.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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Nature
More judgmental and often quantitative.
More analytical and often qualitative.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Outcome
Usually results in a judgment or rating.
May result in feedback, summary, or commentary.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Focus
On meeting standards or criteria.
On understanding and interpreting the material.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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Review
To examine or assess something formally.
The editor will review the manuscript for any inconsistencies.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Evaluate
To draw conclusions from examining.
After evaluating the available data, a decision will be made.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Review
To write a critical assessment of a book, play, movie, etc.
The critic will review the new play for the local newspaper.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Evaluate
To judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of.
We need to evaluate the risks before proceeding with the plan.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Review
To survey or recapitulate a discourse or topic.
The teacher will review the main points of the lecture at the end.
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Sep 22, 2023
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Evaluate
To assess the effectiveness or appropriateness of something.
The committee will evaluate the proposals for environmental sustainability.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Evaluate
To form a critical opinion of something based on criteria.
The manager will evaluate your performance based on punctuality and productivity.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Evaluate
To ascertain or fix the value or amount of
Evaluate the damage from the flood.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
To examine with an eye to criticism or correction
Reviewed the research findings.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Evaluate
To determine the importance, effectiveness, or worth of; assess
Evaluate teacher performance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Evaluate
(Mathematics) To calculate the numerical value of; express numerically.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.
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Apr 28, 2023
Evaluate
(transitive) To draw conclusions from examining; to assess.
It will take several years to evaluate the material gathered in the survey.
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Apr 28, 2023
Evaluate
To compute or determine the value of (an expression).
Evaluate this integral.
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Apr 28, 2023
Evaluate
Place a value on; judge the worth of something;
I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.
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Apr 28, 2023
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.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.
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Apr 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.
The victims demanded a full judicial review of the case.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.
The Cambridge Footlights Review launched many Monty Python faces.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A survey of the available items or material.
The magazine contained a review of Paris restaurants.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.
The Times Literary Review is published in London.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.
The troops assembled for a review by the Queen.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.
The regulators demanded a review against NYSE practices.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
To survey; to look broadly over.
Before I tackle the question directly, I must briefly review historical approaches to the problem.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.
The critic reviews every new play in London.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
To retrace; to go over again.
Shall I the long, laborious scene review?
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Apr 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
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.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
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
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Apr 28, 2023
Review
Appraise critically;
She reviews books for the New York Times
Please critique this performance
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;
She reviewed her achievements with pride
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 28, 2023
Review
To go over with the intent of making corrections, adjustments, or improvements.
Please review your answers before submitting the test.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Review
To reconsider or reexamine critically.
The team will review the project’s goals to ensure they are still relevant.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
FAQs
Does evaluating always involve giving a grade or score?
Not always, evaluation can also involve qualitative judgments.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is evaluating a form of reviewing?
Evaluation can include reviewing as a component, but it also involves making judgments about value or quality.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is evaluating always formal?
Evaluation can be both formal and informal, depending on the context.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Can reviewing lead to change?
Yes, reviewing can lead to identifying areas for change and improvement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Do evaluations always have predefined criteria?
Typically, evaluations involve some form of criteria or standards, but they can vary in specificity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can evaluation be a continuous process?
Yes, evaluation can be ongoing, especially in contexts like continuous quality improvement.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Can reviews be done by groups?
Yes, reviews can be conducted by individuals or groups, such as review panels or committees.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can a review be unbiased and objective?
Yes, reviews can be objective, but they often include subjective elements as well.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is evaluation only about finding faults?
No, evaluation is about assessing both strengths and weaknesses, and it can be positive or negative.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can a review be purely factual without opinions?
Yes, a review can be factual, summarizing content without providing opinions.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
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.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Can anyone write a review?
Yes, anyone with sufficient knowledge or experience of the subject can write a review.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Are evaluations always conducted by superiors?
No, evaluations can be conducted by peers, subordinates, or oneself, depending on the context.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Can a review be evaluative?
Yes, a review can include evaluative elements and provide judgments about quality or value.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Can evaluations be changed or revised?
Yes, evaluations can be revised based on new information, additional context, or reconsideration of criteria.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
