This comprehensive text is an essential tool for those involved in
development evaluation. It presents concepts and procedures for
evaluation in a development context. It provides procedures and
examples on how to set up a monitoring and evaluation system, how to
conduct participatory evaluations and do social mapping, and how to
construct a "rigorous" quasi-experimental design to answer an
impact question.
The book begins with a description of the context of development
evaluation and how it arrived where it is today. It then discusses
current issues driving development evaluation, such as the Millennium
Development Goals and the move from simple project evaluations to the
broader understandings of complex evaluations. The topics of
implementing "Results-based Measurement and Evaluation" and
constructing a "Theory of Change" are emphasized throughout
the text.
Next, the authors take the reader down "the road to
results", presenting procedures for evaluating projects, programs,
and policies by using a "Design Matrix" to help map the
process. This road includes:
- determining the overall approach
- formulating questions
- selecting designs
- developing data collection instruments
- choosing a sampling strategy
- planning data analysis for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed
method evaluations.
The book also includes discussions on conducting complex
evaluations, how to manage evaluations, how to present results, and
ethical behavior--including principles, standards, and guidelines. The
final chapter discusses the future of development evaluation.
Interactive e-book coming in September 2009! Check back here for
more information!
The Road to Results will also be available as an interactive
e-book, using technology developed by educators specifically for
textbooks and other learning materials, and as a print and e-book
bundle. The Road to Results e-book has a robust toolset for
learners to interact with content, including:
- Contextual search — of book, notes or all the student's
bookshelf library
- Ability to make notes and highlights — organize by color and
sort into folders
- Multimedia options — users can listen to audio, watch videos
or take an interactive quiz within the book
- Social networking features — users can share notes and
highlights
- Downloadable format — users have complete portability.
Endorsements
"Programs aimed at the betterment of human welfare in the
zones of turmoil and transition of the developing world face
unprecedented challenges. This is why Ray Rist and Linda Morra's
book is so important and timely. Nurtured by exceptional knowledge and
experience, it captures in a convenient format the essentials of good
evaluation practice in the field of development. Given its
authoritative and up-to-date treatment of the real-life evaluation
problems created by the complex and volatile operating environment for
development, it belongs on the bookshelf of all evaluation and
development professionals."
- Robert Picciotto, former Director General,
Evaluation, World Bank Group;
Visiting Professor, King's College, London
"This book exemplifies everything I look for in an
evaluation text: Well-tested material, carefully evaluated, proven in
practice. Credible because done by people who know what they are
talking about through experience and expertise. Content that teaches
and exemplifies the profession's standards, and so is useful,
practical, ethical, and accurate. Makes evaluation understandable,
accessible, and doable. Communicates the importance and value of
monitoring and evaluation. A good mix of theory and practice,
methodologically solid, illustrated with relevant and understandable
examples. Substance that is real-world and realistic, that is, grounded
in the political, economic, cultural, and management realities of
development. Narrative that both teaches and inspires. Those are the
things I look for in a book and this book delivers on every
criterion."
- Michael Q. Patton, former President of the
American Evaluation Association;
author of 'Utilization-Focused Evaluation, and Qualitative Research
and Evaluation Methods';
independent evaluation and organizational development consultant
"Development evaluation is rapidly growing in developing
countries. The book's structure and approach make it useful to a
cross-section of users such as evaluation specialists and
practitioners, policy makers, parliamentarians, public sector
officials, and students of development evaluation. This book will make
a significant contribution to development evaluation in the developing
world."
- Kabir Hashim, Member of Parliament, Sri
Lanka;
former Minister of Tertiary Education and Training;
development evaluation consultant
"The need for this book has never been greater, as the
evaluation of development cooperation becomes increasingly important.
Readers, presented with comprehensive and yet concise coverage of the
main topics and current concerns, will acquire insights into this
increasingly complex field of inquiry. Essential reading for both
novice and more experienced development evaluators, it is clearly
written and easy to understand, with an assortment of real-world
examples and valuable gems of practice wisdom. It is sure to become the
most indispensable and widely read text for anyone wishing to learn
about contemporary development evaluation."
- Penny Hawkins, Head of Evaluation, New
Zealand Agency for International Development;
Vice-Chair, DAC Network on Development Evaluation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
FOUNDATIONS
Chapter 1. Introducing Development Evaluation
Evaluation: What is it? • The Origins and History of the
Evaluation Discipline • The Development Evaluation Context
• Principles and Standards for Development Evaluation •
Examples of Development Evaluations • Summary • Chapter 1
Activity • References and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 2. Understanding the Issues Driving Development
Evaluation
Overview of Evaluation in Developed and Developing Countries •
Implications of Emerging Development Issues • Summary •
References and Further Reading • Web sites
PREPARING AND CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATIONS
Chapter 3. Building a Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation
System
Importance of Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation • What is
Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation? • Traditional Versus
Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation • Ten Steps to Building a
Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System • Summary •
Chapter 3 Activities • References and Further Reading • Web
sites
Chapter 4. Understanding the Evaluation Context and the Program
Theory of Change
Front-End Analysis • Identifying the Main Client and Key
stakeholders • Understanding the Context • Tapping Existing
Knowledge • Constructing, Using, and Assessing a Theory of Change
• Summary • Chapter 4 Activities • References and
Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 5. Considering the Evaluation Approach
General Approaches to Evaluation • Summary • Chapter 5
Activity • References and Further Reading • Web sites
DESIGNING AND CONDUCTING
Chapter 6. Developing Evaluation Questions and Starting the
Design Matrix
Sources of Questions • Types of Questions • Identifying
and Selecting Questions • Developing Good Questions •
Designing the Evaluation • Summary • Chapter 6 Activities
• References and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 7. Selecting Designs for Cause-and-Effect, Descriptive,
and Normative Evaluation Questions
Connecting Questions to Design • Designs for Cause-and-Effect
Questions • Designs for Descriptive Questions • Designs for
Normative Questions • The Need for More Rigorous Evaluation
Designs • Chapter 7 Activities • Design Types •
References and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 8. Selecting and Constructing Data Collection
Instruments
Data Collection Strategies • Characteristics of Good Measures
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data • Tools for Collecting
Data • Summary • Chapter 8 Activities • References
and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 9. Choosing the Sampling Strategy
Introduction to Sampling • Types of Samples: Random and
Nonrandom • Determining the Sample Size • Summary •
Chapter 9 Activities • References and Further Reading • Web
sites
Chapter 10. Planning for and Conducting Data Analysis
Data Analysis Strategy • Analyzing Qualitative Data •
Analyzing Quantitative Data • Linking Qualitative Data and
Quantitative Data • Summary • Chapter 10 Activities •
References and Further Reading • Web sites
MEETING CHALLENGES
Chapter 11. Evaluating Complex Interventions
Big-Picture Views of Development Evaluation • Joint Evaluations
• Country Program Evaluations • Sector Program Evaluations
• Thematic Evaluations • Evaluation of Global and Regional
Partnership Programs • Summary • References and Further
Reading • Web sites
LEADING
Chapter 12. Managing an Evaluation
Managing the Design Matrix • Contracting the Evaluation •
Roles and Responsibilities of Different Players • Managing
People, Tasks, and Budgets • Summary • Chapter 12
Activities • References and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 13. Presenting Results
Crafting a Communication Strategy • Writing an Evaluation Report
• Displaying information Visually • Making an Oral
Presentation • Summary • Chapter 13 Activities •
References and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 14. Guiding the Evaluator: Evaluation Ethics, Politics,
Standards, and Guiding Principles
Ethical Behavior • Politics and Evaluation • Evaluation
standards and Guiding Principles • Summary • Chapter 14
Activity • References and Further Reading • Web sites
Chapter 15. Looking to the Future
Past to Present • The Future • Chapter 15 Activity •
References and Further Reading • Web sites
- Shipping Weight: 2.96 lbs (1.34 kgs)
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