Evaluation Research: Some Possible Contexts of Theory Failure

Authors

Pranab Chatterjee, Case Western Reserve University
Lenore Olsen, Case Western Reserve University
Thomas P. Holland, Case Western Reserve University

Abstract

What can evaluation research tell us about social science theory? It is the purpose of this paper to examine that question. There has been much written in the current literature about the relationship between theory and practice. Because it is evaluation research (Breedlove, 1972: 71-89; Newbrough, 1966: 39-52; Suchman, 1971: 43-48; Suchman, 1967; Weiss, 1973: 37-45; Fitz- Gibbons and Morris, 1975: 1-4) that attempts to analyze the results of practice, it is the authors' belief that an examination of evaluation research studies for possible contexts of theory failure will contribute to a linkage between theory and practice.

Recommended Citation

Chatterjee, Pranab; Olsen, Lenore; and Holland, Thomas P. (1976) "Evaluation Research: Some Possible Contexts of Theory Failure," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 3: Iss. 4, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1136
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol3/iss4/3