Theory-driven Program Evaluation

The provided text consists of excerpts from Stewart I. Donaldson’s "Introduction to Theory-Driven Program Evaluation," a comprehensive guide on using evaluation science to improve social programs and organizational effectiveness. The book outlines a three-step model for practitioners: developing program impact theory, formulating evaluation questions, and answering those questions using rigorous scientific methods. A significant portion of the material emphasizes culturally responsive and strengths-focused applications, particularly in the context of maintaining well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author advocates for theory-driven approaches over method-driven ones to ensure programs are both efficacious in ideal settings and effective in the real world. Additionally, the text includes a meta-analysis of positive psychology interventions, demonstrating how evidence-based strategies like the PERMA+4 framework can be used to generate human flourishing. The collection serves as both a practical manual for evaluators and a reflection on the professionalization of the field through established global competencies and ethical standards.