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Valuing and embracing complexity: How an understanding of complex interventions needs to shape our evaluation capacities building initiatives

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  • Sridharan, Sanjeev
  • Nakaima, April

Abstract

This paper describes some of the main challenges of evaluating complex interventions, as well as the implications of such challenges for evaluation capacity building. It discusses lessons learned from a case study of an evaluation of Dancing with Parkinson’s, an organization that provides dance classes to people with Parkinson’s disease in Toronto, Canada. These implications are developed from a realist evaluation lens. Key lessons include the need to develop skills to understand program mechanisms and contexts, recognize multiple models of causality, apply mixed method designs, and ensure the successful scaling up and spread of an intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Sridharan, Sanjeev & Nakaima, April, 2020. "Valuing and embracing complexity: How an understanding of complex interventions needs to shape our evaluation capacities building initiatives," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:80:y:2020:i:c:s0149718917301386
    DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.05.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sridharan, Sanjeev & Jones, Bobby & Caudill, Barry & Nakaima, April, 2016. "Steps towards incorporating heterogeneities into program theory: A case study of a data-driven approach," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 88-97.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nakaima, April & Sridharan, Sanjeev & Gibson, Rachael, 2023. "Towards an evolutionary approach to learning from assumptions: Lessons from the evaluation of Dancing with Parkinson’s," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    2. Senter, Morgan & Clifford, Amanda M. & Bhriain, Orfhlaith Ni, 2024. "Using theory knitting to conceptualize social phenomena in the design and evaluation of dance programs for people living with Parkinson’s disease," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    3. Teasdale, Rebecca M., 2022. "Representing the values of program participants: Endogenous evaluative criteria," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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