| Abstract:
Evaluators face many barriers. Do systems approaches to evaluation offer any bridges to overcome those barriers?
Systems thinking, tools, techniques, and methods have been apparent at AEA for over five years. This Think Tank will explore some fundamental questions about systems and evaluation, including:
- What are 'non-systemic' evaluations? When, if ever, are they a good choice?
- How are the multiple systems approaches similar to each other? Different from each other?
- What are good selection criteria when choosing among systems-based evaluation approaches?
- What are the risks and benefits of working with systems-based approaches as fundamental theories of change? As models of behavior and interaction? As methods of design, data collection, analysis, reporting? As tools to collect and analyze data?
In small discussion groups, participants will address these questions, document their differences and agreements, and share their findings through an article that will be submitted for publication.
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