ToC Manuals: How to develop your ToC
5 Aug 2017

Theory-based methodology: Using theories of change for development, research and evaluation

by Karen Laing and Liz Todd
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The objective of this publication is to assist practitioners and researchers to undertake project development, implementation and evaluation using Theory of Change. This is applicable to a wide range of domains including education, public health, social care, community work, youth work, the arts and more. The aim of this publication is to:

  • Give researchers and practitioners some ideas about how a theory of change framework can be used and the opportunities and challenges it brings
  • Inspire and encourage both practitioners and researchers to consider different ways of using theory-based methods in their work.

It presents the user with background information on what Theory of Change is all about and then goes on in the next section to present five different case studies where Theory of Change was used effectively.

Case study 1: Developing a collaborative Theory of Change: The evaluation of thinking differently.

Case study 2: Using Theory of Change interviews to support the development of professional coaching for communication-rich pedagogies.

Case study 3: Co-curate North East: Digital transformation in community research coproduction programme

Case study 4: Evaluating change in School: Open futures 2011

Case study 5: Out of school activities and the education gap

How to build on theory and explain change, using Theory of Change, is further highlighted in this publication.