New Directions for Evaluation , a quarterly thematic journal, is an official publication of the American Evaluation Association. The journal publishes empirical, methodological, and theoretical works on all aspects of evaluation. Each issue is devoted to a single topic, with contributions solicited, organized, reviewed, and edited by a guest editor or editors. Issues may take any of several forms, such as a series of related chapters, a debate, or a long article followed by brief critical commentaries.

Although the journal addresses a wide range of substantive areas such as government performance, tax policy, energy, environment, mental health, education, job training, and public health, the focus is on evaluation theory, practice, and research within these areas. Topics such as product evaluation, personnel evaluation, policy analysis, and technology assessment are also often included.