Theory of Change & Logic Models Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Theory of Change & Logic Models flashcards as text
In a logic model, which column typically appears FIRST in the sequence from left to right?
Answer: Inputs
Inputs (resources such as staff, funding, and volunteers) are the starting point of a logic model, representing what an organization invests in its program.
A nonprofit's theory of change assumes that providing job-skills training leads to employment, which leads to financial stability. This assumption is best described as a:
Answer: Causal linkage
A causal linkage is the explicit assumption that one condition or activity will produce a specific change, forming the chain of reasoning in a theory of change.
Which of the following is an example of a SHORT-TERM outcome in a youth mentorship program's logic model?
Answer: Participants report increased self-confidence after 3 months
Short-term outcomes are changes in knowledge, attitudes, or skills that occur within weeks to months of program participation.
A logic model differs from a theory of change primarily because a logic model:
Answer: Provides a visual map of program components without fully explaining causal assumptions
A logic model is a visual planning tool showing the program's components, while a theory of change goes deeper by articulating and justifying the causal assumptions behind those components.
The term 'plausibility' in the context of a theory of change refers to:
Answer: Whether the causal logic is reasonable given evidence and experience
Plausibility means the theory's causal chain is credible and supported by research, practice wisdom, or stakeholder knowledge.
When building a theory of change, 'surfacing assumptions' means:
Answer: Making explicit the beliefs about why and how the program will work
Surfacing assumptions involves articulating the often-unstated beliefs — about context, population, and causal mechanisms — that underpin the theory of change.
A logic model's 'Activities' column should contain:
Answer: The specific actions, services, or processes the program delivers
Activities are the specific interventions, services, or processes that program staff carry out using the available inputs.