THE LOGIC AND METHODOLOGY OF CHECKLISTS

Abstract

Procedures for the use of the humble checklist, while no one would deny their utility, in evaluation and elsewhere, are usually thought to fall somewhat below the entry level of what we call a methodology, let alone a theory. But many checklists used in evaluation incorporate a quite complex theory, or at least a set of assumptions, which we are well advised to uncover— and the process of validating an evaluative checklist is a task calling for considerable sophistication. Interestingly, while the theory underlying a checklist is less ambitious than the kind that we normally call program theory, it is often all the theory we need for an evaluation. This memo covers some of the basic features of checklists and their application in evaluation, but it does not claim to exhaust their logic or methodology.

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