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Developing a Systemic Program Evaluation Methodology: A Critical Systems Perspective
Author(s) -
TorresCuello Maria Alejandra,
PinzónSalcedo Luis,
Midgley Gerald
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.2561
Subject(s) - cognitive reframing , perspective (graphical) , systems thinking , management science , process (computing) , field (mathematics) , critical systems thinking , engineering ethics , computer science , critical thinking , process management , sociology , psychology , engineering , artificial intelligence , pedagogy , social psychology , mathematics , pure mathematics , operating system
In recent years, there has been an increased interest within the program evaluation field in the introduction of systems thinking concepts. However, most of these introductions have been primarily directed towards supporting the practice of evaluation and not towards making theoretical advancements. This article is focused on introducing systems thinking, and specifically perspectives and concepts from the work in critical systems thinking (CST), at a theoretical level in the program evaluation field, towards a reframing of Fourth Generation Evaluation methodology. The process for carrying out such a reframing is introduced, as well as a description of the major changes produced in the evaluation methodology from incorporating the CST perspective. A new model is proposed, and how this model may be beneficial for conducting an evaluation is discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for future developments. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.