The position of this paper is that evaluation is a type of research. This conclusion is based on philosophy of science concepts, the nature of scientific method, and evaluation literature. The argument is made that scientific method is one of several inquiry strategies, that the terms scientific method and research are synonymous, and that evaluation is a type of research located at the applied end of a basic-to-applied continuum. Following exposition of the basic argument, supportive discussions are presented related to the role of evaluators, the nature of evaluation problems, the manipulation and control issue, and the use of evaluation results. The following conclusions are made: (1) energy being devoted to evaluation theory development should be redirected to more productive pursuits; (2) evaluators should be capable of differentiating between evaluations for which research designs are appropriate and those for which they are not. If appropriate, the goal should be the maximum amount of manipulation and control feasible; (3) evaluation should be treated as an area of specialization within research training programs; and (4) research courses should treat evaluation as a type of applied research. (Author/RL)