Using Theory in Criminal Justice Evaluation
Perspectives on Evaluating Criminal Justice and Corrections
ISBN: 978-1-78052-644-7, eISBN: 978-1-78052-645-4
Publication date: 21 May 2012
Abstract
This chapter examines the nature and role of theory in criminal justice evaluation. A distinction between theories of and theories for evaluation is offered to clarify what is meant by ‘theory’ in the context of contemporary evaluation practice. Theories of evaluation provide a set of prescriptions and principles that can be used to guide the design, conduct and use of evaluation. Theories for evaluation include programme theory and the application of social science theory to understand how and why criminal justice interventions work to generate desired outcomes. The fundamental features of these three types of theory are discussed in detail, with a particular focus on demonstrating their combined value and utility for informing and improving the practice of criminal justice evaluation.
Citation
Astbury, B. (2012), "Using Theory in Criminal Justice Evaluation", Bowen, E. and Brown, S. (Ed.) Perspectives on Evaluating Criminal Justice and Corrections (Advances in Program Evaluation, Vol. 13), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-7863(2012)0000013005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited