Little is known about the effectiveness of district plans in protecting built heritage, which is a matter of national importance under New Zealand's Resource Management Act 1991 (RMAct). This is despite the fact that the RMAct directs planning agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of plan provisions. This lack of evaluation is not unique to New Zealand or merely symptomatic of heritage planning. Instead, it is a shortcoming in planning theory and practice internationally; a well recognised impediment being that planning lacks a suitable evaluation approach. This thesis aims to address this deficiency by proposing a methodology for evaluating plan effectiveness and applying it to the built heritage provisions of two district plans. The methodology adopted has been shaped by the theory-based and realist evaluation approaches, as developed in the field of programme evaluation. Both approaches share a common ontology regarding claims of causality, which stresses 'knowledge in context'. Thus, a central endeavour of the research is not only to identify the environmental outcomes arising from plan implementation, but also to understand how and why the implementation context promoted or inhibited the achievement of plan goals. In so doing, the causal and implementation theories underpinning the plans' heritage provisions are exposed, modelled and tested. The findings reveal that plan implementation failed to prevent the loss of built heritage values in many instances. While the plans' causal theory was largely sound, key aspects of the implementation theory were not realised during the development control process. Plan quality was a significant factor, as was the commitment and capacity of developers to comply with the plans. The institutional fixation on consent processing speed rather than environmental outcomes was a further impediment. Overall, the theory-based approach provided a useful framework for determining plan effectiveness and holds promise for evaluating plan issues other than built heritage.

Thesis (DPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The aim of the study was to design an alcohol abuse prevention program for the workplace that was based on a sound program theory. Ultimately the study aimed to indicate an approach to the improvement of social service programs by the incorporation of program theory in the design, implementation and evaluation of social service programs. In the first phase of the study the program theory was developed. Literature studies on the prevention of alcohol abuse and on program evaluation were done. This was followed by a survey in the workplace to determine alcohol consumption and abuse, factors contributing to alcohol consumption, workplace factors contributing to abuse and attitudes towards the responsible consumption of alcohol. The survey was complemented by focus group discussions. Eight hundred and fifteen respondents completed the survey. The most important findings were that 46% of respondents indicated that they drink alcohol, nine percent could be classified as alcohol dependent according to the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (Selzer, 1971) and 24% of men and 15 % of women drank at risky levels. The most important factors contributing to alcohol consumption were social problems, social drinking and dependence. Workplace factors contributing to alcohol consumption were the lack of control, availability of alcohol, social pressure to drink and the quality of work. The program theory was formulated from the results of the literature study, the survey and the focus group discussions. The all-inclusive program theory was that life skills training will lead to a reduction in frustration and therefore a reduction in the abuse of alcohol, within a positive work environment. In the following phase the program was implemented and evaluated. The program consisted of life skills training, supervisor training and the revision of the alcohol policy. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to test the program theory and evaluate the program. The life skills program was tested by means of an experimental design. The experimental groups showed an improvement in psychosocial functioning, but the differences were not statistically significant. The intervention had no significant effect on the consumption of alcohol. Respondents’ knowledge about the moderate drinking of alcohol improved significantly, but attitudes towards moderate drinking were not affected. Supervisor training was done to improve relationships at work and to lower frustration. Supervisors improved their knowledge of managing a troubled employee significantly and felt more comfortable in managing troubled employees after the training. The substance abuse policy of the workplace was revised successfully. The study contributes significantly to the methodological improvement of substance abuse prevention programs in the workplace and illustrates the importance of program theory in the design and evaluation of social programs. The study also illustrates how a process of formative evaluation can be used to improve social programs. More specifically the value of a systematic process of program development and program evaluation has been demonstrated, including that an in depth problem analysis has been done, an intensive and collaborative process of theory development has been undertaken and a rigorist evaluation design (with quantitative and qualitative components) has been applied.

Research indicates that tobacco cessation rates are at least doubled when smokers receive assistance from a clinician; receiving tobacco cessation advice from multiple types of clinicians increases quit rates even further.¹ To address a decades-long deficiency in the tobacco cessation training of health professionals in general, a shared curriculum, Rx for Change: Clinician-Assisted Tobacco Cessation, was developed in 1999 as a collaboration of the schools of pharmacy in California.^2,3 Between 2003 and 2005, pharmacy faculty members (n=191) participated in national train-the-trainer workshops designed to equip faculty with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement the Rx for Change curriculum at their academic institutions.⁴ <div><br></div><div> The studies that comprise this dissertation are a logical extension of this national initiative, applying a mixed-methods approach to: (a) evaluate the long-term impact of training pharmacy faculty using the Rx for Change program, (b) delineate recommendations for developing and disseminating shared curricula for health-care programs, and (c) evaluate utilization of the Rx for Change website, which hosts faculty resources and curricular files for download. In combination, these (along with a previously-conducted qualitative study) provide a comprehensive “view” of the long-term impact of this unique shared curriculum. </div><div><br></div><div>Results from the three studies provided evidence for: (1) reach to the majority of pharmacy institutions, (2) a high level of adoption of the Rx for Change in health professional schools, (3) a positive impact on faculty trainees’ careers and their level of confidence for teaching, precepting clinical students, and assisting tobacco users, (4) implementation of the Rx for Change curriculum with a variety of teaching methodologies, and (5) continuity of use within the core curriculum of pharmacy institutions. Seven key factors were found to have contributed to the success of the Rx for Change program, and thus the following are recommended for future shared curriculum developers: (1) appeal to attendees, (2) relate content to clinical practice, (3) deliver live training (in-person), (4) develop high quality materials delivered by experts, (5) meet accreditation standards, (6) provide support for teaching, and (7) demonstrate effectiveness. Data from the website analysis provided evidence for interprofessional reach of the Rx for Change website to educators, learners, and professionals.<br></div>

Many researchers in planning have demonstrated the connection between land-use planning and transport planning. Mainly to describe how urban development can reduce emissions and congestion in cities. That public transport can be used as a tool in urban development is not as researched but is a general idea among planners and researchers. The theoretical approach of Transit-Oriented development has developed the idea of how urban development and transport planning can cooperate in an integrated planning process. This study has evaluated a tramway project conducted in Norrköping during the years 2006-2011 that extended tramway line 2 from Jura through Hageby to Navestad to deepen the knowledge about how public transport and urban development correspond. Transit-Oriented development has been used to evaluate the planning process preceding the tramway extension through a theory-based evaluation. This study uses a project logic to describe the planning strategies of the municipality in the planning process. Quantitative indicators have been used to map the outcome of the planning strategies. The study demonstrates that the planning process integrated the aims of urban development into the planning process of the tramway. Aims of a denser city, a city with mixed land use and active businesses in all parts of the city were included in the tramway project. The evaluation shows that the area along the extended tramway line has become denser with more varied land use and increased population density. The number of jobs in the area has increased mainly because of more jobs within the public sector. The number of jobs within the private sector has decreased in the area.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis evaluated the theory behind the South African Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) during its first phase from 2004-2009. The research examined how sound the EPWP theory was which explains the logic that links programme objectives and programme activities and resources. The data for this study comprised of government departmental documents on the EPWP, the context of the EPWP and the policies that informed it. Evaluation of the EPWP theory revealed that the programme was based on a sound theory if focusing solely on projected objectives, activities and resources. However, the evaluation also revealed deficiencies in the programme theory with regard to the EPWP reaching its larger policy goals. The theory construction and evaluation framework by Rossi, Freeman and Lipsey (2004) is an evaluation tool that was used to evaluate the EPWP. More theory based approach evaluations would add value to the lack in theory based programme evaluations in South Africa. In brief, the problem of unemployment is structural in South Africa and requires long term solutions. The policies and policy programmes should thus be designed with permanent employment measures in mind. However, employment through one of the largest policy programmes in South Africa, the EPWP, was short term. It is therefore recommended that this method of programme evaluation be utilised in more studies prior to implementation of a programme, because if the logic behind a programme is sound, its chances to succeed could be improved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis evalueer die teorie agter die Suid-Afrikaanse Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program (UPWP) tydens die eerste fase van 2004-2009. Die navorsing ondersoek hoe grondig die teorie die logika tussen program doelwitte en program-aktiwiteite en hulpbronne verduidelik. Die data vir hierdie studie bestaan uit departementele dokumente oor die konteks van die UPWP en die beleid wat die program ingelig het. Evaluering van die UPWP-teorie het aan die lig gebring dat die program gebaseer is op 'n grondige teorie, met die fokus uitsluitlik op geprojekteerde doelwitte, aktiwiteite en hulpbronne. Die evaluering van die UPWP-teorie het ook die gebrek met betrekking tot die bereik van groter beleidsdoelwitte aan die lig gebring. Die teorie konstruksie-en evalueringsraamwerk deur Rossi, Freeman en Lipsey (2004) is 'n evaluering instrument wat gebruik was om die UPWP te evalueer. Meer teoreties-gebaseerde evaluerings sal waarde toevoeg tot die gebrek van teorie-gebaseerde program evaluering in Suid Afrika. Ter opsomming, werkloosheid is n strukturele probleem in Suid Afrika en vereis langtermyn oplossings. Die beleide en die beleid programme moet dus ontwerp word met permanente indiensneming geleenthede in gedagte. Indiensneming deur een van die grootste programme in Suid-Afrika, die UPWP bied egter kort termyn indiensneming. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat die teorie-gebaseerde benadering van programevaluering in meer studies gebruik word voor die implementering van 'n program, want as die logika agter 'n program grondig is, is die kanse van sukses verhoog.

L'accès aux médicaments essentiels (ME) est un élément clé de la qualité des soins dans un système de santé. Par ailleurs, le financement basé sur la performance (FBP) attire de plus en plus l'attention des décideurs comme une intervention pour améliorer la prestation des services de santé, y compris l’accès aux ME, dans les pays à faible et moyen revenus (PFMR). Malgré l’intérêt croissant de la recherche sur le FBP, très peu d’étude ont porté sur la mise à l’agenda d’une telle réforme ou son maintien à l’ordre du jour au fil du temps, encore moins sur l’influence de celle-ci sur l’accès aux ME dans les PFMR. A travers une analyse du programme de FBP au Cameroun, la présente thèse vise à faire avancer les connaissances en examinant les questions suivantes : qu’est-ce qui explique l’apparition du FBP au niveau de la politique nationale de la santé et quel est l’impact de ce programme sur l’accès aux ME? Le devis de recherche est celui d’une étude de cas et la démarche analytique s’appuie sur la combinaison des données qualitatives, à travers des entrevues réalisées auprès des acteurs clés du programme FBP au Cameroun, et quantitatives, issues de l’évaluation d’impact de ce programme. La perspective conceptuelle est celle des cycles de politique, du cadre de transfert des politiques et de la recherche interventionnelle. Les résultats sont structurés en quatre articles scientifiques. La mise du FBP à l’agenda au Cameroun s’est construite à partir des rapports et événements identifiant l'absence d'une politique de financement de la santé adaptée comme une question importante à laquelle il fallait s'attaquer (article 1). L'évolution du discours politique vers une plus grande responsabilisation a permis de tester de nouveaux mécanismes. Un groupe d'entrepreneurs politiques de la Banque mondiale, par le biais de nombreuses formes d'influence (financière, conceptuelle, fondée sur la connaissance et les réseaux) et en s'appuyant sur plusieurs réformes en cours, a collaboré avec de hauts fonctionnaires du gouvernement pour mettre le programme FBP à l'ordre du jour. Des organisations non gouvernementales internationales ont été recrutées au début du programme pour assurer sa mise en œuvre rapide. Toutefois, il a fallu transférer ce rôle aux organisations nationales pour assurer la pérennité, l'appropriation et l'intégration de l'intervention du FBP dans le système de santé (article 2). L'expérience de ce transfert montre que les éléments favorisant la réussite d’un tel processus incluent des directives structurées, une appropriation et planification conjointe de la transition par toutes les parties, et un soutien post-transition aux nouveaux acteurs. Les données qualitatives suggèrent que la mise en œuvre du programme FBP influence l’accès aux médicaments essentiels par l’entremise de plusieurs facteurs, notamment une plus grande autonomie des formations sanitaires, une régulation appliquée des équipes cadre de santé, une plus grande responsabilisation des acteurs du médicament et la libéralisation du système d’approvisionnement (article 3). Cependant, le programme a eu un impact très limité sur la disponibilité des ME (article 4). L'intervention n’a été associée à aucune réduction des ruptures de stock de ME, sauf pour la planification familiale (PF), avec une hétérogénéité des effets entre les régions et les zones urbaines et rurales. Ces résultats sont la conséquence d'un échec partiel de la mise en œuvre de ce programme, allant de la perturbation et de l'interruption des services à une autonomie limitée des formations sanitaires dans la gestion des décisions et à un retard considérable dans le paiement des prestations. / Access to essential medicines (EM) is a key element of quality of care in a health system. Accordingly, performance-based financing (PBF) is increasingly attracting the attention of policy makers as a promising intervention to improve health service delivery, including access to essential medicines, in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the growing interest in PBF research, very few studies have focused on how such a reform has been put on the agenda or how it has been maintained over time, much less how it has influenced access to EMs in low- and middle-income countries. Through an analysis of the PBF program in Cameroon, this thesis aims to advance knowledge by examining the following questions: What explains the emergence of PBF at the level of national health policy and what is the impact of this program on access to EMs? The research design is a case study and the analytical approach is based on a combination of qualitative data, through interviews conducted with key actors of the PBF program in Cameroon, and quantitative data from the impact evaluation of this program. The conceptual perspective is that of policy cycles, the policy transfer framework and intervention research. The results are structured into four scientific articles. Putting the PBF on the agenda in Cameroon was built from reports and events identifying the lack of an appropriate health financing policy as a critical issue that needed to be addressed (article 1). The evolution of political discourse towards greater accountability made it possible to test new mechanisms. A group of political entrepreneurs from the World Bank, through many forms of influence (financial, conceptual, knowledge-based and networked) and building on several ongoing reforms, worked with senior government officials to put the PBF reform on the agenda. International non-governmental organizations were recruited at the beginning of the programme to ensure its rapid implementation. However, this role had to be transferred to national organizations to ensure sustainability, ownership and integration of the PBF intervention into the health system (Article 2). The experience of this transfer shows that the elements for the success of such a process include structured guidelines, joint ownership and planning of the transition by all parties, and post-transition support to new actors. The implementation of the PBF programme influences access to essential medicines through several factors, including greater autonomy of health v facilities, enforced regulation of district medical teams, greater accountability of drug stakeholders and liberalization of the supply system (Article 3). However, the programme had a very limited impact on the availability of EMs (Article 4). The intervention was not associated with any reduction in EM stock-outs, except for family planning (FP), where the reduction was 34% (P = 0.028), with a heterogeneity of effects between regions and urban and rural areas. These poor results were likely the consequence of partial implementation failure, ranging from disruption and discontinuation of services to limited facility autonomy in managing decision‐making and considerable delay in performance payment.