Role of Program Theory in Building Program Evaluations Joe E. Heimlich, Ph.D. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA The Institute for Learning Innovation, Annapolis MD, USA

What is Program Theory? Program Theory links program strategies with the intended outcomes Program Theory suggests cause and effect relationships throughout a program Program Theory attempts to illustrate the theory of how a program is supposed to work

What is “logic modeling”? A logic model is a tool for examining a program so that we see how it “logically” fits together We use the logic model to apply “program logic” which says there is a way of measuring a program using causal linkages We use program logic based on “Program Theory” which explains these causal links

A logic model… Specifies cause and effect relationships. CONTEXT Resources Activities Outputs Audiences Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 Outcome 4

The model… Links the strategy with its intended outcomes. CONTEXT Resources Activities Outputs Audiences Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 Outcome 4 STRATEGYINTENDED OUTCOMES

A logic model…. Ties together the key theories supporting the logic of the program. CONTEXT Resources Activities Outputs Audiences Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 Outcome 4

A generic logic model The Strategy Short and Long Term Outcomes from employing the strategy It’s a diagram of the theory of how a program is supposed to work

In other words… Within a certain context Resources are used to create A set of activities/tactics Designed to produce outputs – products or services For predetermined audiences

Which leads to… These audiences react to the outputs. If positive, reactions are more likely to lead to an increase in knowledge, a positive attitude, new skills, and aspirations to change behavior. If these short-term outcomes occur, behavior is more likely to be sustained or changed.

And THIS leads us to… If numbers of people change behavior… And they encourage larger groups to change… Then there is a greater chance that conditions related to the long-term mission will also change (social, economic, environmental, political).