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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.

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.

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Summary:



Theory-based evaluation and the social impact of the arts. 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. although theory generation need not depend on it exclusively an important part of articulating the theory ies of interventions in an arts context involves the com- munication by arts practitioners of how their practice contributes towards intended outcomes. in terms of practicalities the studies highlight particular diffi- culties and barriers in an arts context of articulating theory ies of change; identifying the most suitable or strongest theory to test; and of planning and implementing a realist research design capable of testing theory rigorously. a key strength of tbe approaches at a theoretical level is the way they speak to some of the central problems identified in the research evidence for the social impacts of the arts while acknowledging that toc and realistic evaluation often differ in how they do so.


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