What's the Problem Represented to Be? Problem Definition Critique as a Tool for Evaluative Thinking

Autor/in	Archibald, Thomas
Titel	What's the Problem Represented to Be? Problem Definition Critique as a Tool for Evaluative Thinking
Quelle	In: American Journal of Evaluation, 41 (2020) 1, S.6-19 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Archibald, Thomas)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1098-2140
DOI	10.1177/1098214018824043
Schlagwörter	Evaluative Thinking; Criticism; Problems; Program Evaluation + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Kritik; Problemsituation; Programme evaluation; Programmevaluation
Abstract	Problem definition in program planning and evaluation is rarely problematized. In this article, I discuss why the lack of problem problematization is itself problematic--in other words, why treating problems as self-evident can pose a risk for evaluation practice. Then, to help avoid such risks, I suggest Carol Bacchi's "What's the Problem Represented to Be?" approach as a useful tool to focus evaluative thinking on the frequently tacit step of problem definition. Bacchi's approach, informed by feminist and poststructuralist epistemologies, is designed to facilitate critical interrogation of policies and programs, focusing on the social and value-laden ways in which problems are initially defined. I propose that evaluators can fruitfully use Bacchi's tool to promote evaluative thinking about the assumptions that inhere problem representation and thus can help promote better evaluation. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01