Refining Theories of Change
Background: Despite the disparities in how they are defined and what elements are included, most Theories of Change remain consistent in one way – their visual format. Typically, Theories of Change are presented as a one-page visual in a flowchart style with lines and boxes of uniform size....
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation |
| Online Access: | https://journals.sfu.ca/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/496 |
| _version_ | 1797812691567378432 |
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| author | Lovely Dhillon Sara Vaca |
| author_facet | Lovely Dhillon Sara Vaca |
| author_sort | Lovely Dhillon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: Despite the disparities in how they are defined and what elements are included, most Theories of Change remain consistent in one way – their visual format. Typically, Theories of Change are presented as a one-page visual in a flowchart style with lines and boxes of uniform size. In addition, Theories of Change are often created as stand-alone tools that are rarely linked effectively to other organizational tools.
Purpose: The authors: (1) propose the essential elements that contribute to robust Theories of Change and clarify the characteristics that distinguish Theories of Change from other organizational tools and formats; (2) suggest additional elements for inclusion in the Theory of Change; (3) present graphic alternatives that allow for an evolution in representing their complexity and depth; and (4) provide ways to link Theories of Change to other organizational tools to increase organizational alignment, efficiency, and, most importantly, impact.
Research Design: NA
Data Collection and Analysis: NA
Setting: NA
Intervention: NA
Findings: NA
Keywords: theories of change, logic models, evaluation, causal strands, mechanisms, assumptions, hypothesis, data visualization, organizational tools, innovation.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:42:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dcb4040a193748d68ed62cc3adbfbbc8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1556-8180 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:42:15Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation |
| spelling | doaj.art-dcb4040a193748d68ed62cc3adbfbbc82023-06-03T06:57:48ZengThe Evaluation Center at Western Michigan UniversityJournal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation1556-81802018-04-01143010.56645/jmde.v14i30.496Refining Theories of ChangeLovely DhillonSara Vaca Background: Despite the disparities in how they are defined and what elements are included, most Theories of Change remain consistent in one way – their visual format. Typically, Theories of Change are presented as a one-page visual in a flowchart style with lines and boxes of uniform size. In addition, Theories of Change are often created as stand-alone tools that are rarely linked effectively to other organizational tools. Purpose: The authors: (1) propose the essential elements that contribute to robust Theories of Change and clarify the characteristics that distinguish Theories of Change from other organizational tools and formats; (2) suggest additional elements for inclusion in the Theory of Change; (3) present graphic alternatives that allow for an evolution in representing their complexity and depth; and (4) provide ways to link Theories of Change to other organizational tools to increase organizational alignment, efficiency, and, most importantly, impact. Research Design: NA Data Collection and Analysis: NA Setting: NA Intervention: NA Findings: NA Keywords: theories of change, logic models, evaluation, causal strands, mechanisms, assumptions, hypothesis, data visualization, organizational tools, innovation. https://journals.sfu.ca/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/496 |
| spellingShingle | Lovely Dhillon Sara Vaca Refining Theories of Change Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation |
| title | Refining Theories of Change |
| title_full | Refining Theories of Change |
| title_fullStr | Refining Theories of Change |
| title_full_unstemmed | Refining Theories of Change |
| title_short | Refining Theories of Change |
| title_sort | refining theories of change |
| url | https://journals.sfu.ca/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/496 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lovelydhillon refiningtheoriesofchange AT saravaca refiningtheoriesofchange |