Developing a Theory of Change
Resources for participants
Guides and templates
- 3i analysis template
- 3i survey instrument
- Theory of Change template
- Theory of Change survey template
- Guide: How to develop an evidence-based Theory of Change diagram
- Theory of Change diagram Canva template
- Example agenda: Participatory workshop to validate a Theory of Change
- Participatory workshop slide deck template
Theory of Change examples
Books
- The Research Impact Handbook PDF (£4.99)
- Impact Culture PDF (RRP £4.99)
- The Productive Researcher PDF (RRP £4.99) audio book (RRP £16.99)
- 20% off The Researcher’s Guide to Influencing Policy with code TRGIP20 via this link (£29.99, released 20th September). Code valid until 26th March 2025.
Articles and publications
- Jensen, E. A., Reed, M. S., et al. (2002). CREW Strategic Impact Review Report. Institute for Methods Innovation: Casper, WY.
- Jensen, et al. (2024). Responsible research impact: ethics for making a difference (in preparation).
- Jensen, et al. (2024). How can a research program influence public policy? Evaluating a decade of research impact using an evidence-based theory of change (in press).
- Reed, et al. (2017). A theory of participation: what makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work? Restoration Ecology, 26(S1). https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12541
- Reed, et al. (2021). Evaluating impact from research: A methodological framework. Research Policy, 50(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2020.104147Â
- Reed, Jensen, et al. (2025). Analyzing who is relevant to engage in decision-making processes by interests, influence and impact: the 3i methodological framework. Journal of Environmental Management, 373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123437
Self-paced courses
Developing a Theory of Change
This self-paced course guides you through creating a clear roadmap that connects your activities to the outcomes you intend to achieve. You will learn how to identify relevant parties, define clear impact objectives, and outline the specific actions and resources needed to generate measurable impact. Practical tools and real-world examples will help you design a strategy that aligns your research, initiatives, and efforts toward lasting change.
You can self-enrol using this link.
Introduction to Evaluation Design
Well-designed evaluations save time and money, delivering useful insights that enable evidence-based decisions. This hands-on training course provides practical guidance on how to refine the focus of an evaluation, ensuring that the scope and methods are realistic and robust.
You can self-enrol using this link.
