Journal ArticleDOI
Unpacking Black Boxes: Mechanisms and Theory Building in Evaluation:
Brad Astbury,Frans L. Leeuw +1 more
TLDR
In this paper, the authors attempt to clarify what is meant by mechanisms in the context of program evaluation by identifying three main characteristics of mechanisms and outlining a possible typology of mechanisms, along with some precautions to consider when investigating mechanisms that might plausibly account for program outcomes.Abstract:
There is growing interest in the concept of ‘‘mechanism’’ across many areas of the social sciences. In the field of program and policy evaluation, a number of scholars have also emphasized the importance of causal mechanisms for explaining how and why programs work. However, there appears to be some ambiguity about the meaning and uses of mechanism-based thinking in both the social science and evaluation literature. In this article we attempt to clarify what is meant by mechanisms in the context of program evaluation by identifying three main characteristics of mechanisms and outlining a possible typology of mechanisms. A number of theoretical and practical implications for evaluators are also discussed, along with some precautions to consider when investigating mechanisms that might plausibly account for program outcomes.read more
Citations
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Journal Article
Evidence-based Policy: A Realist Perspective
TL;DR: This book will be essential reading for all those who loved (or loathed) the arguments developed in Realistic Evaluation and offers a complete blueprint for research synthesis, supported by detailed illustrations and worked examples from across the policy waterfront.
Journal ArticleDOI
RAMESES publication standards: realist syntheses
TL;DR: This project used multiple sources to develop and draw together evidence and expertise in realist synthesis, and synthesized expert input, evidence syntheses and real-time problem analysis into a definitive set of standards.
Journal ArticleDOI
What’s in a mechanism? Development of a key concept in realist evaluation
TL;DR: It is argued that disaggregating the concept of mechanism into its constituent parts helps to understand the difference between the resources offered by the intervention and the ways in which this changes the reasoning of participants and underline the importance of conceptualising mechanisms as operating on a continuum, rather than as an ‘on/off’ switch.
Journal ArticleDOI
Large-System Transformation in Health Care: A Realist Review
TL;DR: The aims of the review were to analyze examples of successful and less successful transformation initiatives, to synthesize knowledge of the underlying mechanisms, to clarify the role of government, and to outline options for evaluation.
References
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Book
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TL;DR: A history of diffusion research can be found in this paper, where the authors present a glossary of developments in the field of Diffusion research and discuss the consequences of these developments.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Strength of Weak Ties
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Diffusion of innovations
TL;DR: Upon returning to the U.S., author Singhal’s Google search revealed the following: in January 2001, the impeachment trial against President Estrada was halted by senators who supported him and the government fell without a shot being fired.
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A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
TL;DR: Cognitive dissonance theory links actions and attitudes as discussed by the authors, which holds that dissonance is experienced whenever one cognition that a person holds follows from the opposite of at least one other cognition that the person holds.
Journal ArticleDOI
A Theory of Social Comparison Processes
TL;DR: In this article, the authors pointed out that there is a strong functional tie between opinions and abilities in humans and that the ability evaluation of an individual can be expressed as a comparison of the performance of a particular ability with other abilities.