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An adversary evaluation approach in policy analysis is one which reflects a valuing orientation. This approach developed in response to the dominant objectifying approaches in policy evaluation and is based on the notions that: 1] no evaluator can be truly objective, and, 2] no evaluation can be value-free. To this end, the approach makes use of teams of evaluators who present two opposing views. These two sides then agree on issues to address, collect data or evidence which forms a common database, and present their arguments. A neutral party is assigned to referee the hearing, and is expected to arrive at a fair verdict after consideration of all the evidence presented.
There are many different models for adversary evaluations, including judicial, congressional hearing and debate models. However, models which subscribe to a legal-framework are most prominent in the literature.