Using Program Theory-Driven Evaluation Science to Crack the Da Vinci Code

Program theory-driven evaluation science uses substantive knowledge, as opposed to method proclivities, to guide program evaluations (Donaldson & Lipsey, 2006). It aspires to update, clarify, simplify, and make more accessible the evolving theory of evaluation practice commonly referred to as theory-driven or theory-based evaluation (Chen, 1990, 2004, 2005; Donaldson, 2003; Rossi, 2004; Rossi et al., 2004; Weiss, 1998, 2004a, 2004b).