Why Evaluators and/or Their Collaborative Partners Select Theory-Driven
Evaluation as their Evaluation Strategy
The most frequently occurring motive for selecting a theory-driven evaluation approach was
ideological (73%, n ¼ 33). In no instance was there sufficient evidence to support conclusions that
collaborators (i.e., evaluation funders or sponsors) were directly engaged in the selection of using a
theory-driven evaluation approach in the research reports reviewed. Although ideological
orientations were the most often occurring rationale, less frequently occurring reasons included
guiding program development (13%, n ¼ 6), involving stakeholders (11%, n ¼ 5), and, in one case,
that theory-driven evaluation provided a means for reducing evaluation costs and time relative to
other potential approaches (2%, n ¼ 1).