Journal Articles

Towards an evidence base of theory-driven evaluations: Some questions for proponents of theory-driven evaluation

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This article discusses the further development of theory-driven evaluation approaches that are informed by contribution analysis. Using an illustrative example of an ongoing dance/physical activity programme for health promotion, a number of challenges are identified when applying a theory-driven evaluation approach. These challenges are reformulated as questions that need to be answered to make further progress with theory-driven evaluation including contribution analysis. Questions include: What is a ‘good enough’ programme theory? How does one arrive at expectations of programme impacts? How does the programme theory incorporate heterogeneous mechanisms that programme recipients might need? What does causality mean for complex interventions? What are structures that can facilitate learning from evaluations? How does the application of theory-driven evaluation approaches help generate an ‘ecology of evidence’? Discussion of these questions leads to a ‘roadmap’ for how contribution analysis might be further tested and refined.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Evaluation : The International Journal of Theory, research and Practice

Call Number

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Publisher

Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications., 2012

Collation

p. 378-395

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

1356-3890

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Volume 18 Number 3, July 2012 p. 378-395

Subject(s)

Realist Evaluation
Contribution analysis
Theory-driven evaluation

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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