Content
Evaluation
Methods
How do evaluators arrive at their assessments? They can apply any of the recognised evaluation methods such as empirical social research, organisational assessment or calculating cost-effectiveness. There is an emerging agreement in the evaluation community that a mixture of quantitative and qualitative analysis produces the best results. Care is taken to ensure that data and sources of information are always cross-checked and the principle of multiple scrutiny is applied.
Working papers on methodology
The Evaluation Working Papers that are published at irregular intervals include discussions about the methods and approaches adopted in individual evaluations and about overarching aspects of methodology. The BMZ publishes these working papers in order to make it easier for those interested to find out about the ongoing international discussion in this field and to read about practical examples from German development cooperation. This information does not imply a recommendation by the BMZ that specific methods should be used – the "right" method is always the one that is appropriate for the questions being considered. The Evaluation Working Papers are published either in German or in English.
The BMZ Evaluation Working Papers:
-
"Tools and Methods for Evaluating the Efficiency of Development Interventions
April 2011, 117 pages (PDF 800 KB)
An accessible version of the report is available on request.
Gabriele.Hollederer@bmz.bund.deEfficiency is a powerful concept for decision making and ex post assessments of development interventions. The potential for application, however, is not exhausted. Starting with the theoretical foundations, the evaluation working paper describes and assesses 15 distinct methods and explains how they can be used.
-
Micro-Methods in Evaluating Governance Interventions
March 2011, 70 pages (PDF 632 KB)
An accessible version of the report is available on request.
Gabriele.Hollederer@bmz.bund.deApplying micro-quantitative methods for assessing impact of development cooperation in the field of governance is feasible although these techniques are not frequently used. The evaluation working paper provides an overview of experimental and quasi-experimental methods and their application in evaluating real world governance interventions.
-
Usually, evaluations can only vaguely assess impacts of development interventions due to a lack of data. This working paper presents the international discussion on rigorous impact evaluations to German speaking audiences, focusing on micro-quantitative approaches that meet the strict criteria for providing evidence for impacts. It includes practical examples and gives recommendations, when such in-depth assessments appear appropriate.
-
This working paper deals with an impact assessment of development cooperation in north-east Afghanistan. It describes the approach and the methods on which this evaluation is based.
Information
Contact
