What is the role of theory in evaluation practice?

The role of theory in evaluation practice is fundamentally about guiding the evaluation process by providing a conceptual framework. This framework helps in structuring the evaluation design, selecting appropriate methodologies, and interpreting the results meaningfully. Theories can offer insights into why certain interventions may work, enabling evaluators to anticipate potential outcomes and to assess the effectiveness of programs based on established knowledge.

Incorporating theory allows evaluators to ground their work in existing research and knowledge, ensuring that the evaluation is not conducted in a vacuum. It helps in framing the evaluation questions, determining what data needs to be collected, and analyzing that data in a way that aligns with theoretical expectations. This theoretical grounding is crucial for making sense of the findings, drawing conclusions, and providing recommendations based on a systematic understanding of the phenomena being evaluated.