Theorising theories of change in international development

Cieslik, Katarzyna; Leeuwis, Cees

doi:10.4324/9781003112525-15

Theorising theories of change in international development

Cieslik, Katarzyna; Leeuwis, Cees

Authors

Dr Katarzyna Cieslik katarzyna.cieslik@durham.ac.uk
Lecturer in Human Geography

Cees Leeuwis

Contributors

David Ludwig
Editor

Birgit Boogaard
Editor

Phil Macnaghten
Editor

Cees Leeuwis
Editor

Abstract

Theories of change (ToCs) are development tools that describe how a certain set up of conditions and actions leads to producing specific results. They are used to design, monitor, evaluate, and scale interventions and are increasingly required by both donor and research agencies. In this paper, we explore the links between theories of change and actual social scientific theories about change, which have not been explored in academic literature. We make three essential contributions. First, we explain how the rising interest in evidence-based policy fuelled the evolution of development management tools, including Logit Models, Log Frames and theories of change. Second, we argue that the narrow understanding of ‘research evidence’ resulted in scientific contributions being limited to conducting experimental evaluations (RCTs) meant to test and validate the projects’ theories of change. This we criticise as both methodologically unsound and epistemologically limiting. Third, we introduce alternative sources of ‘evidence’ that credit the social science theories and methods and engage meaningfully with local stakeholders (target communities and implementing staff).

Citation

Cieslik, K., & Leeuwis, C. (2021). Theorising theories of change in international development. In D. Ludwig, B. Boogaard, P. Macnaghten, & C. Leeuwis (Eds.), The Politics of Knowledge in Inclusive Development and Innovation (165-180). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003112525-15

Online Publication Date	Oct 15, 2021
Publication Date	2021
Deposit Date	Mar 16, 2022
Publicly Available Date	May 10, 2022
Publisher	Routledge
Pages	165-180
Edition	1st ed.
Book Title	The Politics of Knowledge in Inclusive Development and Innovation
Chapter Number	10
DOI	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003112525-15

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