Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102578

Coordinator Thierno Diallo Opens in new window

Description Evaluation of development aid and relief programs is an instrument for accountability and effective learning in terms of what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and at what cost. This subject uses critical and practical analyses to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate development aid and relief programs. Students are introduced to program planning and management strategies, types of evaluation approaches and their application, and evaluation dissemination utilisation. They gain practical skills to translate evaluation into policy and practice

School Social Sciences

Discipline Studies in Human Society, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Assumed Knowledge

Students have undergraduate level knowledge of research design, method and analysis.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify and assess approaches to differing evaluation and monitoring frameworks for humanitarian and development projects.
2. Demonstrate skills in developing theory of change/project logic to guide the establishment of project/program effectiveness.
3. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to develop a project proposal in response to a call for an evaluation.
4. Critically examine both internal and external forces and realities that may hinder the acceptance of evaluation findings.
5. Critically evaluate project/program proposals and evaluation reports.
6. Identify and assess approaches to differing evaluation and monitoring frameworks for humanitarian and development projects
7. Demonstrate skills in developing theory of change/project logic to guide the establishment of project/program effectiveness
8. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to develop an evaluation project proposal
9. Critically examine both internal and external forces and realities that may hinder the acceptance of evaluation findings
10. Critically evaluate project/program proposals and evaluation reports

Subject Content

Introduction to stages in program planning.
Six Normative Approaches to Evaluation.
Types of evaluation: Formative, process and summative.
Evaluation designs.
Methods of data collection.
Summarising evaluation data: data analysis and report writing.
Evaluation dissemination and utilisation.
Writing terms of reference for an evaluation.
Developing an expression of interest and an inception report.
Ethical and quality evaluation standards.
Appraising project proposals and evaluation reports.
Debriefing and reflection: Q and A.
Defining the approach and objectives of evaluation
Theories of change models
Approaches to evaluation
Approaches to evaluation: synthesis and meta-evaluation
Designing evaluations: starting questions
Selection evaluation designs: introduction to experimental, quasi-experimental and case study methods
Designing and conducting evaluations: data collection strategies and tools
Sampling strategies and real world / real time evaluation techniques
Planning for and conducting data analysis
Evaluating complex interventions
Evaluation of organizational strategies and sector-wide programs
Managing, presenting and disseminating evaluations
The impact, ethics, and politics of evaluation in international organizations