Clarifying concepts and categories of assumptions for use in evaluation

In order to advance systematic examination of how evaluators work with assumptions, there is need for; first of all, a coherent synthesis and categorization of assumptions, as well as a discussion of their varied relevance in program design and evaluation. An emergent typology of assumptions as they are used in the literature will be proposed based on categories of assumptions as used in literature. The critical role and potential contribution of the articulation of paradigmatic, normative, diagnostic, prescriptive, causal, external and other assumptions in program design and evaluation are discussed and then evaluated for utility to current evaluative practice.