Designing a Theory-Building Systematic Review to Explain the Organizational Effects of Policy

• In Event: 26.065 - Organizational Theory in/and Education

Abstract

This paper reports on the uses of realist theories of organizing and organizational processes to design a type of systematic review known as realist synthesis. The review explores conditions under which three approaches to school accountability – inspection, monitoring and assessment – lead to organizational change and to positive learning outcomes for schoolchildren in low- and middle-income countries. The review team adopted realist approaches because of the complexity and dynamism of conditions that influence the outcome of accountability systems in LMICs. The paper reports on efforts to use the elaboration of theory to help educational advisers, policy makers and educational leaders to understand causal processes underlying organizational outcomes and to identify conditions necessary for those processes to have desired outcomes.

Authors

• David H. Eddy Spicer, University of Virginia

• Melanie Ehren

• Mukdarut Bangpan, Institute of Education - London

• Meena Khatwa, Institute of Education - London