The Causal Mechanism Claim in Evaluation: Does the Prophecy Fulfill?
Resource type
Author/contributor
- Schmitt, Johannes (Author)
Title
The Causal Mechanism Claim in Evaluation: Does the Prophecy Fulfill?
Abstract
Despite increased discussions in the community and a common understanding about the virtue of mechanism-based explanation, little is known about the true benefits and challenges of applying causal mechanism analysis in practice. This chapter aims to introduce the reader to the topic of causal mechanisms and synthesize significant findings on this special issue. It begins by laying out definitions and concepts of causal mechanisms in evaluation literature and proposes a two-way classification of causal mechanisms along which the chapters to this issue are structured. The chapter continues by introducing the Causal Mechanism Claim and elaborates on how analyzing causal mechanisms is expected to increase policy relevance and causal capacity in evaluations. Drawing on this issue's rich corpus of firsthand practical experience, this introduction synthesizes key lessons that support or contradict the Causal Mechanism Claim. We find that both parts of the claim—increased policy relevance and strengthened causal capacity—are supported by the authors' experiences as bundled in this issue. However, we also identify challenges related to cross-cutting issues such as communication and practical applicability and point to the importance of method integration.
Publication
New Directions for Evaluation
Volume
2020
Issue
167
Pages
11-26
Date
2020
Language
en
DOI
ISSN
1534-875X
Short Title
The Causal Mechanism Claim in Evaluation
Accessed
18/02/2021, 14:26
Library Catalogue
Wiley Online Library
Citation
Schmitt, J. (2020). The Causal Mechanism Claim in Evaluation: Does the Prophecy Fulfill? New Directions for Evaluation, 2020(167), 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.20421
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