I enjoyed reading your thoughtful comments. We agree that the CGD's report is based on a particular scientific paradigm, as Vedung (2010) called it the first scientific wave.
Surprising to me was that the CGD report--although based on an old paradigm--startled the evaluation community widely to a high degree. Evaluation societies felt an obligation to respond. In this sense, the CGD report positively influenced the further development of more robust qualitative (causal) methods in evaluation. Evaluators developed and refined theory-based approaches, process tracing, contribution analysis and thus made a positive contribution to the evaluation field. Without the CGD report, we (myself included) probably would not have been part of such a flourishing process of tackling causality in evaluation.
RE: Impact Evaluation: How far have we come?
Austria
Rahel Kahlert
Senior Evaluation Officer
IAEA
Posted on 03/05/2024
Dear Daniel!
I enjoyed reading your thoughtful comments. We agree that the CGD's report is based on a particular scientific paradigm, as Vedung (2010) called it the first scientific wave.
Surprising to me was that the CGD report--although based on an old paradigm--startled the evaluation community widely to a high degree. Evaluation societies felt an obligation to respond. In this sense, the CGD report positively influenced the further development of more robust qualitative (causal) methods in evaluation. Evaluators developed and refined theory-based approaches, process tracing, contribution analysis and thus made a positive contribution to the evaluation field. Without the CGD report, we (myself included) probably would not have been part of such a flourishing process of tackling causality in evaluation.