A bridge between basic social science and evaluation

Abstract

AbstractThe author argues that evaluators must forge a strong bridge between basic social science and evaluation. Realizing this potential will involve holding evaluation to a high standard, through advancing cutting‐edge empirical methods, balancing demands for accountability, and providing direction for basic social science. Approaches such as theory‐based evaluation and natural‐variation research designs can demonstrate the importance of evaluation, and help evaluators to ensure that traffic of ideas between basic social science and evaluation runs efficiently in both directions. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association