Abstract
In the present chapter I discuss two types of intervention-oriented designs by looking at purpose and strategies in evaluation research and action research. My main argument is that comprehensive evaluations of interventions and measures must combine studies of process and effect. Measures, interventions, and reforms in society build on a more or less explicit theory of action about the effects of the measure. To evaluate the measures, we need to know something about the effects, and this can best be done through a variable-centred effect study with a control group. However, in order to develop knowledge about why the action succeeded or failed in producing the expected effects, we also need to analyse the underlying theories of action and implementation processes. Therefore, it is possible to talk about intervention-oriented designs as combinations of process-oriented and effect-oriented analysis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Andreassen, T. A., & Aars, J. (2015). Den store reformen: da NAV ble til. Oslo, Norway: Universitetsforlaget.
Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Donabedian, A. (1988). The quality of care. How can it be assessed? JAMA, 260(12), 1743–1748.
Duus, G., Husted, M., Kildedal, K., Laursen, E., & Tofteng, D. (2012). Aktionsforskning. Frederiksberg, Denmark: Samfundslitteratur.
Eikeland, O. (1997). Erfaring, dialogikk og politikk: den antikke dialogfilosofiens betydning for rekonstruksjonen av moderne empirisk samfunnsvitenskap: et begrepshistorisk og filosofisk bidrag. In ([3. utg]. ed., Vol. 11). Oslo: Det historisk-filosofiske fakultet, Universitetet i Oslo Universitetsforlaget.
Eikeland, O., & Nicolini, D. (2011). Turning practically: Broadening the horizon. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 24(2), 164–174. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534811111119744
Foss, O. (2000). Evaluering – samfunnsforskning i politikkens tjeneste. In O. Foss & J. Mønnesland (Eds.), Evaluering av offentlig virksomhet. Metoder og vurderinger. Oslo, Norway: NIBR.
Greenwood, D. J., & Levin, M. (2007). Introduction to action research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Hansen, H. F. (2005). Choosing evaluation models: A discussion on evaluation design. Evaluation, 11(4), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389005060265
Nielsen, K. A. (2012). Aktionsforskningens historie – på vej til et refleksivt akademisk selskap. In G. Duus, M. Husted, K. Kildedal, E. Laursen, & D. Tofteng (Eds.), Aktionsforskning (pp. 19–36). Fredriksberg, Denmark: Samfundslitteratur.
Øvretveit, J. (1990). Quality health services. London: Brunel Institute of Organisation and Social Studies, Brunel University.
Resaland, G. K., Moe, V. F., Aadland, E., Steene-Johannessen, J., Glosvik, Ø., Andersen, J. R., et al. (2015). Active Smarter Kids (ASK): Rationale and design of a cluster-randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of daily physical activity on children’s academic performance and risk factors for non-communicable diseases. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 709. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2049-y
Ricoeur, P. (1988 (1986)). Det praktiske förnuftet. In Från text till handling: en antologi om hermeneutik (Orig.: Du texte à l’action, Essais d’hermenutiques) (Vol. 1, pp. 167–205). Stockholm: Brutus Östlings bokförlag Symposion.
Rossi, P. H., Freeman, H. E., & Lipsey, M. W. (2004). Evaluation: A systematic approach (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. New York: Basic Books.
Scriven, M. (1991). Evaluation thesaurus (4th ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Thorsrud, E., & Emery, F. E. (1970). Mot en ny bedriftsorganisasjon: eksperimenter i industrielt demokrati (Ny utg. ed. Vol. 2). Oslo: Tanum.
Tornes, K. (2012). Evaluering i teori og praksis. Trondheim, Norway: Akademika.
Vedung, E. (2009). Utvärdering i politik och förvaltning (3. uppl. ed.). Lund, Sweden: Studentlitteratur.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bukve, O. (2019). Intervention-Oriented Designs. In: Designing Social Science Research. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03979-0_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03979-0_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-03978-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-03979-0
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)