ISBN:
9781461447979
Language:
English
Pages:
Online-Ressource (XXI, 184 p. 14 illus., 7 illus. in color, digital)
Series Statement:
SpringerLink
Series Statement:
Bücher
Parallel Title:
Buchausg. u.d.T.
DDC:
306.3
Keywords:
Social sciences
;
Social policy
;
Social Sciences
;
Social sciences
;
Social policy
Abstract:
A major reason complex programs are so difficult to evaluate is that the assumptions that inspire them are poorly articulated. Stakeholders of such programs are often unclear about how the change process will unfold. Thus, it is so difficult to reasonably anticipate the early and midterm changes that need to happen in order for a longer-term goalto be reached. The lack of clarity about the "mini-steps that must be taken to reach a long-term outcome not only makes the task of evaluating a complex initiative challenging, but reduces the likelihood that all of the important factors related to the long term goal will be addressed. Most of the resources that have attempted to address this dilemma have been popularized as theory of change or sometimes program theory approaches. Although these approaches emphasize and elaborate the sequence of changes/mini steps that lead to the long-term goal of interest and the connections between program activities and outcomes that occur at each step of the way, they do not do enough to clarify how program managers or evaluators should deal with assumptions. Assumptions, the glue that holds all the pieces together, remain abstract and far from applicable. In this book the author tackles this important assumptions theme head-on-covering a breadth of ground from the epistemology of development assumptions, to the art of making logical assumptions as well as recognizing, explicit zing and testing assumptions with in an elaborate program theory from program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Description / Table of Contents:
Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation; Foreword; Preface; Contents; 1 Introduction; Abstract; Challenges of a Growing Profession; AssumptionsAssumptions in Responding to Evaluation's Challenges; Focus of this Book; References; Part I Designing and Evaluating Complex Development Programs; 2 Attributes of Complex Development Programs; Abstract; The More Complex, the More Assumptions; Complexity Theory; Development ProgramsDevelopment Programs as Complex SystemsComplex Systems; Other Characteristics of Complex Development Programs; Nonlinearity; Dynamism
Description / Table of Contents:
Dynamic StratificationComplexity and Certainty; Conclusion: Complexity and Assumptions in Program Evaluation; References; 3 Designing Complex Development Programs; Abstract; Introduction; Stakeholder-Focused Approaches; Change Perspective; Outcome-Focused Frameworks; The LFA and Assumptions: Does It Adequately Reflect Complexity?; The ZOPP; Box 3.1 Levels of the ZOPP Cycle; Other Variations of the LFA; Box 3.2 Variations in LFA; LFA as a Formal Procedure; enspLFA as a Way of Thinking; enspLFA as a Brand or Label; enspLFA as a System
Description / Table of Contents:
How is the LFA Helpful in Dealing with Complexity and Assumptions?Lessons from the LFA; Simplification or an Extension of Clarity; The Necessity of Explicit Assumptions; What Else Might Hinder the Effectiveness of These Approaches (Or Support Their Success), and What Have We Thought About the Likelihood of Those Factors?; The Theory of Change Approach; Pathway of Change; Outcome and Precondition; Indicators; Intervention; Assumptions; Theory of Change Versus Log Frame; Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis; Comparing PIPA, LFA, and ToC Approaches; References
Description / Table of Contents:
4 Evaluating Complex Development ProgramsAbstract; Introduction; The DQuant Camp; The DQual Camp; What the DQuants Think of the DQuals; What the DQuals Think of the DQuants; An Example of the Paradigm Fights; Conclusion: The Need for an Integrated Approach; References; Part II Evaluation Theory and Assumptions; 5 Theory in Evaluation; Abstract; Introduction; General TheoryGeneral Theory; Social Science Theory; Evaluation Theory; Program Theory; Theory-Based Evaluation (TBE); Box 5.1: Core Principles and Subprinciples of Theory-Driven Evaluation; Box 5.2: Steps in Contribution Analysis
Description / Table of Contents:
References6 What are AssumptionsAssumptions?; Abstract; Introduction; Definitions of Assumptions; Types of Assumptions; ParadigmaticParadigmatic Assumptions; Forms of Paradigmatic Assumptions; Ontological Assumptions; Epistemological Assumptions; Axiological Assumptions; Cultural AssumptionsAssumptions; Idiosyncratic Assumptions; PrescriptivePrescriptive Assumptions; Categories of Prescriptive Assumptions Include; Legal Presumptions; Metaphoric Assumptions; Intellectual Assumptions; CausalCausal AssumptionsAssumptions; Categories of Assumptions by Degree of Articulation; Explicit Assumptions
Description / Table of Contents:
Implicit Assumptions
Note:
Description based upon print version of record
DOI:
10.1007/978-1-4614-4797-9
URL:
Volltext
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URL:
Volltext
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