 Equity-related ‘knots’ in theory of change development: Conceptualization and case illustrationsEmily Gates, Kathy Chau Rohn and Kiruba Murugaiah Evaluation and Program Planning, 2024, vol. 103, issue C Abstract: Theory of change (ToC) is an approach widely used to guide planning, implementing, and evaluating change initiatives. While there is substantial guidance, there has been little attention on equity within ToC research and practice. We propose and illustrate the metaphor of ‘knots’ to frame practical and ethical challenges that arise when centering equity within ToC processes. Drawing on our experiences using a ToC approach in two case examples, we identify and illustrate five equity-related knots: (a) clarify root causes, pathways, and success; (b) facilitate participation across power and perspective differences; (c) integrate research evidence and practitioner knowledge; (d) represent complex change visually; and (e) creatively navigate constraints. We show why framing these as knots can help practitioners make wise judgments within the circumstances and close with recommendations for including knots in ToC processes, reporting, and guidance. Keywords: Theory of change; Equity; Knots; Reflexive practice; Criticality; Educational evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:epplan:v:103:y:2024:i:c:s0149718923001623 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102385 Access Statistics for this article Evaluation and Program Planning is currently edited by Jonathan A. Morell More articles in Evaluation and Program Planning from Elsevier |
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