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Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: The application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development

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  • Archibald, Thomas
  • Sharrock, Guy
  • Buckley, Jane
  • Cook, Natalie

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Archibald, Thomas & Sharrock, Guy & Buckley, Jane & Cook, Natalie, 2016. "Assumptions, conjectures, and other miracles: The application of evaluative thinking to theory of change models in community development," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 119-127.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:59:y:2016:i:c:p:119-127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.05.015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douthwaite, Boru & Alvarez, Sophie & Thiele, Graham & Mackay, Ronald, 2008. "Participatory Impact Pathways Analysis: A practical method for project planning and evaluation," ILAC Briefs 52527, Institutional Learning and Change (ILAC) Initiative.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nylen, Kirk & Sridharan, Sanjeev, 2020. "Experiments in evaluation capacity building: Enhancing brain disorders research impact in Ontario," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    2. Arasanz, Carla & Nylen, Kirk, 2020. "The theory of change of the evaluation support program: Enhancing the role of community organizations in providing an ecology of care for neurological disorders," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    3. Nielsen, Steffen Bohni & Lemire, Sebastian & Bourgeois, Isabelle & Fierro, Leslie A., 2023. "Mapping the evaluation capacity building landscape: A bibliometric analysis of scholarly communities and themes," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Carbajo, Ruth & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2019. "Sustainability and social justice dimension indicators for applied renewable energy research: A responsible approach proposal," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    5. McConnell, Jesse, 2019. "Adoption for adaptation: A theory-based approach for monitoring a complex policy initiative," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 214-223.
    6. Dana Rad & Gavril Rad, 2021. "Theory of Change in Digital Behavior Change Interventions (Dbcis) And Community-Based Change Initiatives - A General Framework," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 21(1), pages 554-569, July.
    7. Genowefa Blundo-Canto & Gonzalo Rodríguez-Borray & Ángela-Rocío Vásquez-Urriago & María-Margarita Ramírez-Gómez & Gregorio Zambrano-Moreno & Leidy Tibaduiza-Castañeda & Bellanid Huertas-Carranza & Adr, 2023. "Impact Weaving: An Approach to Strengthening the Plausibility of Anticipated AR4D Impact Pathways," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(2), pages 402-425, April.
    8. repec:thr:techub:10021:y:2021:i:1:p:554-569 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Juan M. Moreno & Kaliat Ammu Sanyal & Firooz Firoozmand & Pauline Rutter & Marie K. Harder, 2020. "Reflective Practices in Community Development: a Grounded Analysis," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 501-525, October.
    10. Cook, Ailsa & Morton, Sarah & Henderson, Flora, 2023. "Interrogating assumptions about the relationship between service providers and recipients: Learning from a new service for survivors of In Care Abuse," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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