What is Rigor and Why is it Important?

The term “rigor” is widely used in research and evaluation; however, the term is rarely and inconsistently defined. Moreover, the term “rigor” can be polarizing or misunderstood. Some may see rigor as a “gold standard,” whereas others may view rigor as a construct that limits creativity. Rigor is one of the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab’s eight essential elements in making our work actionable and beneficial for directly impacted communities. This brief communicates what we mean by rigor.