Chapter 8: Concluding Impressions About Research on Evaluation / Assumptions

We summarize the empirical and theoretical explorations about assumptions that are presented in this book. The chapters consider the implications of treating assumptions as complex systems; extending a focus on assumptions to a consideration of beliefs, understandings, and presuppositions; assumptions with respect to incentives, capacities, adoption, risk, uncertainty, and sustainability; links that connect logic chains; examples of empirical research on assumptions; and the role of personal values in doing evaluation. Taken together, the chapters provide insight about assumptions as networks, levels of aggregation of assumptions, assumptions in theories and models, choosing which of many assumptions to work with, and the implications for assumptions of changes in models over time. Why do this work? Because the knowledge can inform practical decisions, provide a sense of understanding that might influence how we engage our work, and shape an assumptions-focused research agenda for those engaged in Research on Evaluation.