Theory, Model, and Framework Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST)

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF includes relevant constructs (e.g., self-efficacy; climate)

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: Key stakeholders (e.g., researchers; clinicians; funders) are able to understand, apply, and operationalize TMF.

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF includes relevant constructs (e.g., self-efficacy; climate)

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF provides a step-by-step approach for applying it.

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF provides methods for promoting implementation in practice.

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF provides an explanation of how included constructs influence implementation and/or each other.

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Criterion: TMF proposes testable hypotheses.

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF includes meaningful, face-valid explanations of proposed relationships.

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Criterion: TMF contributes to an evidence base and/or theory development because it has been used in empirical studies.

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Criterion: TMF focuses on a relevant implementation outcome (e.g., fidelity; acceptability).

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: A particular method (e.g., interviews; surveys; focus groups; chart review) can be used with TMF.

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF addresses a relevant analytic level (e.g., individual; organizational; community).

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Criterion: TMF has been used in a relevant population (e.g., children; adults with serious mental illness) and/or conditions (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; cancer).

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Criterion: TMF is generalizable to other disciplines (e.g., education; health services; social work), settings (e.g., schools; hospitals; community-based organizations), and/or populations (e.g., children; adults with serious mental illness).

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF is familiar to key stakeholders (e.g., researchers; scholars; clinicians; funders).

Rate the fit of each potential theory, model, or framework (TMF) to your project along the criterion listed below. Include any notes that explain your score.

Criterion: TMF comes from a particular discipline (e.g., education; health services; social work).

The final score for each theory, model, and/or framework (TMF) is listed below. This score is the average rating across the criteria that you selected for the TMF. Scores will be between 0 and 2, with higher scores indicating a better fit of the TMF to your project.