Theory-based approaches to evaluation: Concepts and practices

This web page from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat provides an outline of some of the key concepts of theory-based approaches to evaluation.

The general application of a variety of different approaches is discussed along with some advice on the potential applications for government agencies.

Contents

• Introduction
• Context and causation in theory-based approaches
• Theories of change and logic models
• Theory-based approaches to evaluation
• Addressing federal core issues using theory-based approaches to evaluation
• Developing theories of change
• Using theory-based approaches to make causal inferences
• Strengths and weaknesses of theory-based approaches to evaluation
• Using theory-based approaches to evaluate cause-effect issues in different types of interventions
• Other uses of theory-based approaches
• From concept to practice