An Evaluation Theory Tree

O ur evaluation theory tree is presented in Figure 2.1, in which we depict the trunk and the three primary branches of the family tree. The trunk is built on a dual foundation of accountability and systematic social inquiry. These two areas have supported the development of the field in different ways. The need and desire for accountability presents a need for evaluation. The importance of accounting for actions or for resources used in the conduct of programs is particularly evident for programs supported by government entities. The same accountability demand could be said to be present for corporate businesses that annually are required to provide reports from outside auditors to their shareholders (although the accounting scandals of the early 2000s, e.g., Enron, would dispute how accountable these audits actually have been). As a root for program evaluation, we think of accountability in the broadest way possible. That is, accountability is not a limiting activity, but, rather, is designed to improve and better programs and society. The social inquiry root of the tree emanates from a concern for employing a systematic and justifiable set of methods for determining accountability. While accountability provides the rationale, it is primarily from social inquiry that evaluation models have been derived. The main branch of the tree is the continuation of the social inquiry trunk. This is the evaluation as research, or evaluation guided by research methods, branch. This branch we have designated methods since in its purest form, it