SUMMARY FOR ARTICLE

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.