Are social mechanisms usable and useful in evaluation research?

Abstract

This article reflects on the potential contribution of a social mechanism approach to evaluation research, based on the empirical analysis of three evaluations of European policies. A methodological framework for carrying out evaluation based on this approach is put forward that help identify questions to be answered and steps in a working method to be followed. More specifically, the approach focuses on particular types of mechanism: those that stimulate enduring changes in actors’ behaviour. Hence the label ‘social mechanism’. The underlying hypothesis is that some institutional settings can orientate actors’ reasoning in a way conducive to the attainment of policy goals. Moreover, it is assumed that a closer exploration of the workings of mechanisms as part of an evaluation process is useful for both learning and policy design. The article provides examples of evaluations where the proposed approach has been applied.