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Abstract

The process of explicating assumptions requires an analytical stance that is different from the empathetic, responsive, and intuitive stance of many stakeholders (Weiss New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives, Theory, Measurement and Analysis, vol 2, pp. 65–92, 1995). Because developing and questioning the underlying assumptions of a program’s theory can be threatening to participants, it is important that the process be done in a sensitive and collaborative way, so that it strengthens the program without dampening enthusiasm or weakening stakeholder commitment. Explicating implicit assumptions is something stakeholders may be uncomfortable with for different reasons. Some of these are outlined below.

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Correspondence to Apollo M. Nkwake .

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Nkwake, A.M. (2013). Challenges of Explicating Assumptions. In: Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4797-9_12

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