Title
Evaluating Programs Aimed At Promoting Positive Youth Development: A Relational Development Systems-Based View
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2-2016
Abstract
Whether discussing the process involved in positive youth development (PYD), articulating an approach (or philosophy) of youth programs associated with PYD, or enacting a program aimed at promoting PYD, ideas derived from relational developmental systems (RDS) metatheory are pertinent. Accordingly, we discuss the RDS metamodel and explain the approach to PYD research and to PYD program evaluation associated with it. We suggest that the approach to research and evaluation derived from RDS-based ideas offers developmental scientists a set of ideas and tools for research and evaluation methodology that contrast in several ways to methodology associated with different metatheoretical bases. We present a model of program evaluation, termed Evolutionary Evaluation, as a sample case of such an RDS-based approach. We discuss RDS-based approaches to understanding causality and, as well, to using theory-based research and evaluation to promote social justice.
DOI
10.1080/10888691.2015.1082430
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Lerner, Richard M.; Lerner, Jacqueline V.; Urban, Jennifer; and Zaff, Jon, "Evaluating Programs Aimed At Promoting Positive Youth Development: A Relational Development Systems-Based View" (2016). Department of Family Science and Human Development Scholarship and Creative Works. 65.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/familysci-facpubs/65