Using Logic Models and the Action Model/Change Model Schema in Planning the Learning Community Program: A Comparative Case Study
Recent interest was noted in the evaluation community in expanding focus from program implementation and outcomes to program design and planning. One important step for moving in this direction is to examine existing evaluation models and to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses for planning purposes. We present a comparative case study of applying logic models and the action model/change model schema for planning the Learning Community Program in Taiwan. Lessons learned from these applications indicate that logic models are relatively easy to learn and effective for identifying major program components and indicators, but not sufficient in articulating the theoretical significance of the program. On the other hand, the action model/change model schema requires more time to learn and practice, but it has relative advantages for providing theoretical insights on contextual factors and causal mechanisms of the program unlike logic models. This comparison can serve as a guide for evaluation practitioners when selecting evaluation tools to apply in planning and/or evaluating their programs.