Resource link
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 Theory-Based Evaluation
- Hunting for Causal Mechanisms
- Options of Inferring Causality
- Causal Tracing: 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.
'Ascertaining causality in theory-based evaluation' is referenced in:
Method