ARTICLE

Details on article



Id 154
Author Galloway, S.,
Title Theory-based evaluation and the social impact of the arts
Reference

Galloway, S. (2009). Theory-based evaluation and the social impact of the arts, Cultural Trends, 18:2, 125-148.

Keywords Arts; Social impact; Theory-based evaluation; Realistic evaluation; Theory of Change; Quality of life
Link to article https://doi.org/10.1080/09548960902826143
Abstract The well-documented challenges in researching the social impacts of the arts are closely related to key issues in contemporary social research and evaluation, most particularly the problem of causal attribution. The article contends that some of the most common criticisms of the evidence base for the social impact of the arts relate to the successionist model of change which underpins positivist social science research and evaluation. Illustrating this with reference to research on the arts and quality of life, the article considers the alternative generative understanding of causation that underpins theory-based evaluation (TBE) approaches, favoured recently in the UK as part of the “What Works?” agenda. While these approaches fit well with knowledge about the determinants of arts impact, the article considers whether in fact TBE approaches offer an effective strategy for understanding how and why arts engagement can result in social change. The limitations and possibilities of TBE are considered with reference to four recent UK studies of the impact of the arts on individuals which make use of them.

Metodology The paper adopts a Theory-Based Evaluation (TBE) method, which is a flexible assessment approach that allows the evaluation of public policy interventions at different stages of implementation, both during and after the implementation of interventions.

DOI DOI: 10.1080/09548960902826143
Search Database Taylor & Francis
Technique Case studies
Similar articles Analyze the document