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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.
This book focuses on assumptions underlying methods choice in
program evaluation. Credible program evaluation extends beyond the
accuracy of research designs to include arguments justifying the
appropriateness of methods. An important part of this justification
is explaining the assumptions made about the validity of methods.
This book provides a framework for understanding methodological
assumptions, identifying the decisions made at each stage of the
evaluation process, the major forms of validity affected by those
decisions, and the preconditions for and assumptions about those
validities. Though the selection of appropriate research
methodology is not a new topic within social development research,
previous publications suggest only advantages and disadvantages of
using various methods and when to use them. This book goes beyond
other publications to analyze the assumptions underlying actual
methodological choices in evaluation studies and how these
eventually influence evaluation quality. The analysis offered is
supported by a collation of assumptions collected from a case study
of 34 evaluations. Due to its in-depth analysis, strong theoretical
basis, and practice examples, Credibility, Validity and Assumptions
is a must-have resource for researchers, students, university
professors and practitioners in program evaluation. Importantly, it
provides tools for the application of appropriate research methods
in program evaluation
This book discusses the crucial place that assumptions hold in
conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating development programs.
It suggests simple ways for stakeholders and evaluators to 1)
examine their assumptions about program theory and environmental
conditions and 2) develop and carry out effective program
monitoring and evaluation in light of those assumptions. A survey
of evaluators from an international development agency reviewed the
state of practice on assumptions-aware evaluation. This 2nd edition
has been updated with further illustrations, case studies, and
frameworks that have been researched and tested in the years since
the first edition. Regardless of geography or goal, development
programs and policies are fueled by a complex network of implicit
ideas. Stakeholders may hold assumptions about purposes, outcomes,
methodology, and the value of project evaluation and
evaluators-which may or may not be shared by the evaluators. A
major barrier to viable program evaluations is that development
programs are based on assumptions that often are not well
articulated. In designing programs, stakeholders often lack clear
outlines for how implemented interventions will bring desired
changes. This lack of clarity masks critical risks to program
success and makes it challenging to evaluate such programs. Methods
that have attempted to address this dilemma have been popularized
as theory of change or other theory-based approaches. Often,
however, theory-based methods do not sufficiently clarify how
program managers or evaluators should work with the assumptions
inherent in the connections between the steps. The critical
examination of assumptions in evaluation is essential for effective
evaluations and evaluative thinking. "How does one think
evaluatively? It all begins with assumptions. Systematically
articulating, examining, and testing assumptions is the foundation
of evaluative thinking... This book, more than any other, explains
how to build a strong foundation for effective interventions and
useful evaluation by rigorously working with assumptions." -Michael
Quinn Patton, PhD. Author of Utilization-Focused Evaluation and
co-editor of THOUGHTWORK: Thinking, Action, and the Fate of the
World, USA. "This updated edition presents us with a new
opportunity to delve into both the theoretical and practical
aspects of paradigmatic, prescriptive, and causal assumptions. We
need to learn, and apply these insights with the deep attention
they deserve." -Zenda Ofir, PhD. Independent Evaluator, Richard von
Weizsacker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy, Berlin, Germany. Honorary
Professor, School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University,
South Africa. "This thought-provoking book explains why assumptions
are an essential condition within the theories and methodologies of
evaluation; and how assumptions influence the ways that evaluators
approach their work...It will enrich the ways that evaluators
develop their models, devise their methodologies, interpret their
data, and interact with their stakeholders." -Jonny Morell, Ph.D.,
President, 4.669... Evaluation and Planning, Editor Emeritus,
Evaluation and Program Planning
This book focuses on assumptions underlying methods choice in
program evaluation. Credible program evaluation extends beyond the
accuracy of research designs to include arguments justifying the
appropriateness of methods. An important part of this justification
is explaining the assumptions made about the validity of methods.
This book provides a framework for understanding methodological
assumptions, identifying the decisions made at each stage of the
evaluation process, the major forms of validity affected by those
decisions, and the preconditions for and assumptions about those
validities. Though the selection of appropriate research
methodology is not a new topic within social development research,
previous publications suggest only advantages and disadvantages of
using various methods and when to use them. This book goes beyond
other publications to analyze the assumptions underlying actual
methodological choices in evaluation studies and how these
eventually influence evaluation quality. The analysis offered is
supported by a collation of assumptions collected from a case study
of 34 evaluations. Due to its in-depth analysis, strong theoretical
basis, and practice examples, Credibility, Validity and Assumptions
is a must-have resource for researchers, students, university
professors and practitioners in program evaluation. Importantly, it
provides tools for the application of appropriate research methods
in program evaluation
This book discusses the crucial place that assumptions hold in
conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating development programs.
It suggests simple ways for stakeholders and evaluators to 1)
examine their assumptions about program theory and environmental
conditions and 2) develop and carry out effective program
monitoring and evaluation in light of those assumptions. A survey
of evaluators from an international development agency reviewed the
state of practice on assumptions-aware evaluation. This 2nd edition
has been updated with further illustrations, case studies, and
frameworks that have been researched and tested in the years since
the first edition. Regardless of geography or goal, development
programs and policies are fueled by a complex network of implicit
ideas. Stakeholders may hold assumptions about purposes, outcomes,
methodology, and the value of project evaluation and
evaluators-which may or may not be shared by the evaluators. A
major barrier to viable program evaluations is that development
programs are based on assumptions that often are not well
articulated. In designing programs, stakeholders often lack clear
outlines for how implemented interventions will bring desired
changes. This lack of clarity masks critical risks to program
success and makes it challenging to evaluate such programs. Methods
that have attempted to address this dilemma have been popularized
as theory of change or other theory-based approaches. Often,
however, theory-based methods do not sufficiently clarify how
program managers or evaluators should work with the assumptions
inherent in the connections between the steps. The critical
examination of assumptions in evaluation is essential for effective
evaluations and evaluative thinking. "How does one think
evaluatively? It all begins with assumptions. Systematically
articulating, examining, and testing assumptions is the foundation
of evaluative thinking... This book, more than any other, explains
how to build a strong foundation for effective interventions and
useful evaluation by rigorously working with assumptions." -Michael
Quinn Patton, PhD. Author of Utilization-Focused Evaluation and
co-editor of THOUGHTWORK: Thinking, Action, and the Fate of the
World, USA. "This updated edition presents us with a new
opportunity to delve into both the theoretical and practical
aspects of paradigmatic, prescriptive, and causal assumptions. We
need to learn, and apply these insights with the deep attention
they deserve." -Zenda Ofir, PhD. Independent Evaluator, Richard von
Weizsacker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy, Berlin, Germany. Honorary
Professor, School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University,
South Africa. "This thought-provoking book explains why assumptions
are an essential condition within the theories and methodologies of
evaluation; and how assumptions influence the ways that evaluators
approach their work...It will enrich the ways that evaluators
develop their models, devise their methodologies, interpret their
data, and interact with their stakeholders." -Jonny Morell, Ph.D.,
President, 4.669... Evaluation and Planning, Editor Emeritus,
Evaluation and Program Planning
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