Ascertaining causality in theory-based evaluation

This paper from E. Jane Davidson explores the relative strengths and weaknesses of program theory as a tool for inferring causality.

Excerpt

It also "outlines a five-stage approach that makes increased use of inductively built program theories and takes more deliberate account of the varying levels of certainty that are required for evaluative conclusions." (Davidson 20040

Contents

  • Introduction
  • Testing Causal Mechanisms with Thoery-Based Evaluation
  • Hunting for Causal Mechanisms
  • Options of Inferring Causality
  • Causal Traciing: A Five-Stage Process
  • Conclusions
  • References

Sources

Davidson, E. J. (2000). Ascertaining causality in theory-based evaluation. In P. J. Rogers, T. A. Hasci, A. Petrosino, & T. A. Huebner (Eds.), Program theory in evaluation challenges and opportunities: New directions for evaluation, 87 (pp. 17-26). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

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