Full Library
The law of the instrument: Would you rather be a theory or a nail?
Resource type
Author/contributor
- Freer, Gordon (Author)
Title
The law of the instrument: Would you rather be a theory or a nail?
Abstract
Using the hammer-and-nail analogy of the law of the instrument, often attributed to Abraham Maslow, this essay explores the minimal utilisation of theories of change within programmes despite their almost mandatory inclusion in programme proposals, designs, and evaluations. The essay then considers reasons for this lack of use and explores potential solutions to the same. The essay contends that theories of change can be used for a variety of purposes—in programme design; as complementary programme management tools; adding value to reporting, adaptation, and learning; as well as contributing more broadly to refining social science theories.
Book Title
Theories of Change in Reality
Date
2024
Publisher
Routledge
Short Title
The law of the instrument
Extra
Num Pages: 9
Citation
Freer, G. (2024). The law of the instrument: Would you rather be a theory or a nail? In Theories of Change in Reality. Routledge.
Link to this record