Theory-Driven Evaluation

kind of evaluation focuses on assessing whether an intervention affects a set of desirable outcomes. In the evaluation, evaluators would stick to a research method as a basis to guide an evaluation design (Chen, n.d.). This evaluation type ignores contextual factors in different evaluations. Theory-driven evaluation provides a great solution for the issue above. Theory-driven evaluators would facilitate stakeholders to clarify contextual factors and mechanisms of the program. According to these, evaluators would come up with an appropriate program theory to guide the evaluation as an underlying framework. Instead of limiting focus on “yes or no” questions, theory-driven evaluation asks “why” and “how” questions. Evaluators care about why the …show more content…
In the top-down approach, evidence-based interventions (EBIs) are mostly used to prove the efficacy of interventions. EBIs are rigorous methods in controlled settings, like randomized controlled trails. By utilizing rigorous methods, evaluators expect to maximize internal validity by having strongest evidence and enhance generalizability. However, top-down approach is hard to reach its expectation because there are many constrains in real world setting. Many adaptations need to be made in order to implement it as perfect as in labs. It needs unrealistic amount of time and efforts. Meanwhile, randomized controlled trails could not feasibly address concerns of …show more content…
Switch strategy is one of the strategies. In this strategy, evaluators usually apply qualitative methods to find out stakeholders’ perspective of the program theory first, and then use quantitative methods to gather data for the detected theory. An application of switch strategy is working groups. In a working group, diversified voices of stakeholders are the unique characteristic that evaluators need to take care of. Evaluators need to make sure representatives from different stakeholder groups are involved in the meeting. As representatives communicate their perspectives in the meeting, evaluators need to play the part as a facilitator to make sure they are on the right track and to help them reach consensus on a program theory. After getting buy-in from all stakeholder groups, evaluators could select appropriate quantitative method to assess the model. In switch strategy, qualitative and quantitative methods are utilized