A reproduction signal evaluation method according to the present invention includes a step of generating a binary signal from an information recording medium on which a data sequence including marks and spaces in combination is recordable, using a PRML signal processing method from a signal obtained by reproducing the data sequence; and a differential calculation step of calculating a differential metric using a first state transition path having a maximum likelihood and a second state transition path having a second maximum likelihood, and a reproduction signal, the first state transition path and the second state transition path being obtained based on the binary signal. In a pattern including a shortest mark and a shortest space adjacent before or after the shortest mark, a shift amount of an edge of the shortest mark is obtained from a differential metric calculated regarding one of a first pattern in which a space adjacent to the shortest mark and not adjacent to the shortest space is longer than the shortest space; and a second pattern in which a mark adjacent to the shortest space and not adjacent to the shortest mark is longer than the shortest mark.