Theory-driven evaluation

Abstract

Theory-driven evaluation (TDE) could further expand the accomplishments of dissemination and implementation (DandI) science by 1) providing the action model/change model schema as a conceptual framework for understanding the relationships between contextual factors and an evidence-based intervention (EBI) or a newly designed intervention in a community setting, 2) providing the ex-ante program stress test to proactively assess an EBI plan’s potential problems and weaknesses, 3) providing the ex-post program stress test to proactively assess the problems and weaknesses of the implementation of an EBI program, 4) providing a holistic outcome assessment of an EBI for providing information on not only whether the EBI is effective but also how and why, 5) arguing the popular top-down approach for dissemination evidence-based behavioural/social interventions has limitations and should not be used as the gold standard of DandI, and 6) proposing the bottom-up approach as an alternative.