What does evaluating mean?

An evaluation - or "evaluating" - involves assessment of something or someone to make observations of actions, behaviors, and/or outcomes, whether good, bad, or neutral.

For example: A student mixes two chemicals together and through a process of evaluating or evaluation, makes conclusions about how those two substances work or interact.

An evaluation results in a decision about how significant or valuable something is, based on a careful study of its good and bad features.

An evaluation or the process of evaluation requires us to develop our powers of critical observation and critical thinking.

For example: A realistic evaluation of the working of Britain's economy may lead to researchers concluding x, y, and z based on certain factors of politics and economics.