Theory-Based Evaluation Meets Ambiguity: The Role of Janus Variables

TY - JOUR

T1 - Theory-Based Evaluation Meets Ambiguity

T2 - The Role of Janus Variables

AU - Dahler-Larsen, Peter

PY - 2018/3/1

Y1 - 2018/3/1

N2 - As theory-based evaluation (TBE) engages in situations where multiple stakeholders help develop complex program theory about dynamic phenomena in politically contested settings, it becomes difficult to develop and use program theory without ambiguity. The purpose of this article is to explore ambiguity as a fruitful perspective that helps TBE face current challenges. Literatures in organization theory and political theory are consulted in order to cultivate the concept of ambiguity. Janus variables (which work in two ways) and other ambiguous aspects of program theories are classified and exemplified. Stances towards ambiguity are considered, as are concrete steps that TBE evaluators can take to identify and deal with ambiguity in TBE.

AB - As theory-based evaluation (TBE) engages in situations where multiple stakeholders help develop complex program theory about dynamic phenomena in politically contested settings, it becomes difficult to develop and use program theory without ambiguity. The purpose of this article is to explore ambiguity as a fruitful perspective that helps TBE face current challenges. Literatures in organization theory and political theory are consulted in order to cultivate the concept of ambiguity. Janus variables (which work in two ways) and other ambiguous aspects of program theories are classified and exemplified. Stances towards ambiguity are considered, as are concrete steps that TBE evaluators can take to identify and deal with ambiguity in TBE.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - theory-based evaluation

KW - program theory

KW - participatory evaluation

KW - evaluation use

KW - ambiguity

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1098-2140

VL - 39

SP - 6

EP - 23

JO - American Journal of Evaluation

JF - American Journal of Evaluation

IS - 1

ER -