Evaluating Development Aid Issues, Problems and Solutions

About this book

'Dr Cracknell's book reads convincingly, coming as it does from a pioneer in the field. Here is a useful and readable guide to the way evaluation, in the past two decades, has emerged from the shadows. Read it, and make your own evaluation' - Developments 'The book is well written, clear and reasonably concise...I would have no hesitation in recommending it as a textbook or basic instruction on the topic of evaluation in development aid...It is likely to be a major reference source for me for some time' - Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 'Clearly this is a most valuable volume for those interested in development assistance' - John MacArthur, Journal of Agricultural Economics This book is a 'must-have' for all development professionals.Basil Cracknell begins by reviewing the state-of-the-art of development aid evaluations, including the history, the basic concepts, the methodological problems associated with the choice of techniques, the differences between monitoring and evaluation, the role of evaluation in organizational learning, how to ensure that evaluation findings lead to action, the need for evaluation reports to be user-friendly, and the role of automated data systems. He then considers the key issues and problems in aid evaluation, such as the trend towards impact evaluation, the importance of sustainability, stakeholder analysis, and special problems associated with sectors such as research and development, poverty alleviation and structural adjustment. He explores how aid evaluators can reconcile the requirements of accountability and objectivity with the growing realization that some kind of participatory approach is essential if one is to really understand the impact of people-centred projects on the intended beneficiaries.

Contents

Foreword - Robert Chambers Introduction PART ONE: A BRIEF HISTORY OF AID EVALUATION A Brief History of Aid Evaluation PART TWO: BASIC ISSUES: PURPOSES, TECHNIQUES AND METHODS A Basic Issue Why Evaluate? For Accountability or for Lesson Learning? A Taxonomy of Aid Evaluation Organization of Evaluation Activity Project Cycle Management A Basis for Effective Monitoring and Evaluation Techniques and Methods of Aid Evaluation The Counterfactual, Effectiveness and Efficiency Techniques and Methods of Aid Evaluation Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis, Unintended Effects and Rating//Scoring Systems PART THREE: MONITORING, LEARNING AND FEEDBACK The Links between Monitoring and Evaluation A Neglected Area The Role of Organizational Dynamics and Organizational Learning in Evaluation Feedback Client Orientation of Evaluation Reports Feedback Mechanisms of Feedback Feedback The Role of Management Information Systems PART FOUR: IMPACT, EMPOWERMENT, STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS AND THE PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Impact Evaluation Evaluating Sustainability Sectors Presenting Special Problems in Evaluation Technical Co-operation, Research and Development, Good Governance and Policy-Level Evaluation Sectors Presenting Special Problems in Evaluation Poverty Alleviation, Non-Government Organizations, Small States and Structural Adjustment International Co-operation in Aid Evaluation Evaluation as Viewed by the Beneficiary Stakeholders Empowerment and the Stakeholder Approach Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Is this the Ultimate Destination? PART FIVE: THE WIDER HORIZON AND THE WAY AHEAD The Wider Horizon and the Way Ahead A Look at Tomorrow's Evaluation World

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