Determining an Appropriate Program Theory or Conceptual Framework

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Sep 8, 2025

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To prepare:

Review this week’s Learning Resources, especially the Wilder Research (2009) article, “Program Theory and Logic Models.”
Consider the information contained in your team’s Request for Proposal.

Post an explanation of how you would determine an appropriate program theory/conceptual framework to characterize a program. Explain what kind of information you would need to gather to be able to identify the program’s theoretical/conceptual framework. Describe who and what might be good sources of that information. How might you use the professional literature to “fill gaps”?

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Read the Core Resource

Begin by carefully reviewing Wilder Research (2009), “Program Theory and Logic Models.”
Highlight sections that explain how program theory guides program planning and evaluation.
Note definitions and examples of logic models that connect program activities with intended outcomes.

📖 Helpful resource: Wilder Research: Logic Models

Step 2: Review the Request for Proposal (RFP)

Re-read your team’s RFP carefully to understand the program’s purpose, target population, goals, and desired outcomes.
Identify keywords that may point toward a theoretical framework (e.g., health behavior theories, educational frameworks, social change models).

Step 3: Identify the Information You Need

Ask yourself:

What problem is the program addressing?
What are the desired short-term and long-term outcomes?
What assumptions underlie the program’s design?
What inputs (resources, staff, funding) and activities (services, interventions) are required?

Step 4: Gather Information from Key Sources

Program staff or stakeholders: for practical knowledge of the program’s goals and assumptions.
Existing documentation: mission statements, program manuals, past evaluations.
Professional literature: to identify theories or frameworks that have been used in similar programs.

📖 Helpful resource for frameworks: CDC Evaluation Framework

Step 5: Use Professional Literature to Fill Gaps

Search academic journals and databases (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycINFO) for studies related to your program type.
Identify theories commonly applied in similar interventions (e.g., Social Cognitive Theory, Health Belief Model, Ecological Framework).
Use this evidence to back up your selection of a conceptual framework.

Step 6: Draft Your Post

Structure your post clearly:

Introduction: State the importance of aligning a program with an appropriate theory/conceptual framework.
Explanation of Process: Describe how you would determine the framework (using RFP analysis, stakeholder input, and literature review).
Information Gathering: Outline what info you’d need and who could provide it.
Role of Literature: Explain how professional sources would help bridge gaps.
Conclusion: Summarize why the chosen framework would strengthen program effectiveness and evaluation.

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