Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: The application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Archibald, Thomas (Author)
- Sharrock, Guy (Author)
- Buckley, Jane (Author)
- Cook, Natalie (Author)
Title
Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: The application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development
Abstract
Unexamined and unjustified assumptions are the Achilles’ heel of development programs. In this paper, we describe an evaluation capacity building (ECB) approach designed to help community development practitioners work more effectively with assumptions through the intentional infusion of evaluative thinking (ET) into the program planning, monitoring, and evaluation process. We focus specifically on one component of our ET promotion approach involving the creation and analysis of theory of change (ToC) models. We describe our recent efforts to pilot this ET ECB approach with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Ethiopia and Zambia. The use of ToC models, plus the addition of ET, is a way to encourage individual and organizational learning and adaptive management that supports more reflective and responsive programming.
Publication
Evaluation and Program Planning
Volume
59
Pages
119-127
Date
December 1, 2016
Journal Abbr
Evaluation and Program Planning
ISSN
0149-7189
Short Title
Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles
Accessed
04/02/2018, 17:17
Library Catalogue
ScienceDirect
Citation
Archibald, T., Sharrock, G., Buckley, J., & Cook, N. (2016). Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: The application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development. Evaluation and Program Planning, 59, 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.05.015
Theme
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