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Related Experiment Videos

Theory-based evaluation in practice. What do we learn?

J D Birckmayer1, C H Weiss

  • 1Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Carol_Weiss@harvard.edu

Evaluation Review
|September 30, 2000
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Theory-based evaluation (TBE) offers unique insights into program effectiveness beyond traditional methods. This study of TBE papers reveals its power to identify program flaws, track changes, and guide future evaluations, though original theories were rarely fully supported.

Area of Science:

  • Program Evaluation
  • Social Science Research Methodology

Background:

  • Traditional program evaluations often focus on process and outcomes, potentially missing the underlying mechanisms of success or failure.
  • Theory-based evaluation (TBE) aims to uncover the 'how' and 'why' behind program results, offering deeper insights.
  • The utility and application of TBE in real-world research require examination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine published studies employing theory-based evaluation (TBE).
  • To assess the extent to which TBE provides unique information compared to traditional evaluation methods.
  • To identify the strengths, limitations, and lessons learned from applying TBE.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and analysis of six published theory-based evaluation studies.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of the explicit and implicit connections between program data and underlying theory.
  • Qualitative assessment of the contributions and challenges encountered in each TBE case.

    • Main Results:

    • Authors did not consistently articulate the link between data and program theory.
    • TBE successfully identified redundant program elements and intermediate causal pathways.
    • Evaluations using TBE raised novel research questions and contributed to methodological shifts.
    • Challenges in scaling up pilot programs were illuminated.
    • Original program theories were consistently found to be incomplete or inaccurate.

    Conclusions:

    • Theory-based evaluation (TBE) offers valuable, distinct contributions to understanding program dynamics.
    • Clearer articulation of the theory-data link is needed for robust TBE.
    • TBE can reveal complexities in program implementation and impact, informing future research and practice.
    • The findings suggest iterative refinement of both program theory and evaluation practice is essential.