Home / Summaries / Evaluation A Systematic Approach / program-theory-target

Expressing and assessing program theory

4 important questions on Expressing and assessing program theory

Objective of formulating program theory

depict program as intended

Crucial early step in articulating program theory

defining the boundaries of the program (requires a clear definition of which component, activities, objectives, and target populations are encompassed in the program at issue

Primary sources of developing and differentiating descriptions of program theory

1) review of program documents (variety and amount will vary, descriptive info is often found in conjunction with fund-raising and fiscal accountability)
2) interviews with program personnel
3) site visits and observation of various program functions and circumstances

General issues for review of logic and plausibility of program theory

1) goals well-defined?
2) goals and objectives feasible?
3) change processes presumed plausible?
4) Are program procedures for identifying members of target population, delivering service to them, and sustaining service through completion well defined and sufficient?
5) components, activities and functions well-defined?
6) resources allocated adequate?

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Evaluation A Systematic Approach | 9780761908944 | Peter H Rossi, et al

View summary