Purposeful Program Theory (eBook)

Sue C. Funnell is a director of Performance Improvement, a consulting company, and the former president of the Australasian Evaluation Society. Patricia J. Rogers, PhD, is professor of Public Sector Evaluation at Collaboration for Interdisciplinary Research, Consulting, and Learning in Evaluation, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Melbourne, Australia.

Figures, Tables, and Exhibits.

Acknowledgments.

The Authors.

Introduction: The Promise and Risks of Using Program Theory.

PART ONE Key Ideas in Program Theory.

Chapter 1: The Essence of Program Theory.

Chapter 2: Variations of Program Theory over Time.

Chapter 3: Common Myths and Traps.

PART TWO Assessing Your Circumstances.

Chapter 4: Scoping Intended Uses.

Chapter 5: The Nature of the Situation and the Intervention.

PAR T T H R E E Developing and Representing ProgramTheory.

Chapter 6: Processes to Identify or Develop a ProgramTheory.

Chapter 7: Developing a Theory of Change.

Chapter 8: Developing a Theory of Action.

Chapter 9: Representing Program Theory.

Chapter 10: Critiquing Program Theory.

PART FOUR Resources for Developing Program Theory.

Chapter 11: Some Research-Based Theories of Change.

Chapter 12: Some Common Program Archetypes.

Chapter 13: Logic Models Resources.

PA R T F I V E Using Program Theory for Monitoring andEvaluation.

Chapter 14: Developing a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

Chapter 15: Causal Inference.

Chapter 16: Synthesis and Reporting.

F I G U R E S, TA B L E S, A N D E X H I B I T S.

Figures.

Tables

Exhibits.

"This contribution is a must read for every evaluator,
administration or project manager willing to engage in theory-based
evaluation or theory-based program planning. It stands out from all
the literature on this subject by giving an array of examples of
program theory as well as practical advice to conduct evaluation to
understand what works for whom and in which
conditions."

- "Read for You", Eureval (Centre for European
Expertise and Evaluation)