@article{ref1,
title="Developing Robust Approaches to Evaluating Social Programmes",
journal="Evaluation (Sage)",
year="2007",
author="Sampson, Alice",
volume="13",
number="4",
pages="477-493",
abstract="Using 'evidence' to falsify rather than verify patterns in data and searching for alternative explanations enables a better understanding of the circumstances that explain why and how a social programme works or does not work. An analysis of the extent to which a programme is meeting its aims and objectives to find out if it provides a solution to the policy problem, is more rigorous.The roles researchers adopt influence the quality of an evaluation; facilitating a better understanding of the theories embodied in programmes enhances an evaluation while being a 'broker of compromise' can limit access to information. Researchers have a valuable role in promoting learning. A robust evaluation framework integrates strategies for generalizing at the outset and identifying mechanisms of change or causal mechanism is a way forward. Examples are taken from recent evaluations conducted by the author and colleagues to illustrate the arguments.<p />",
language="",
issn="1356-3890",
doi="10.1177/1356389007082132",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1356389007082132"
}