Collection

Over the past twenty years, media interventions have become an accepted tool for conflict management. Interventions have often proven ineffective, however, because they lacked clear definition of their intended outcomes.  This research describes an Intended-Outcomes Needs Assessment methodology (IONA) to help address this by: Integrating conflict analysis and media assessments to sharpen the focus on peacebuilding objectives; and Improving the quality and precision of project plans to enable better comparison of the results achieved. ...

This report focuses on how theories of change can improve the effectiveness of peacebuilding interventions. A review of 19 peacebuilding projects in three conflict-affected countries found that the process of articulating and reviewing theories of change adds rigour and transparency, clarifies project logic, highlights assumptions that need to be tested, and helps identify appropriate participants and partners....

This document is a hierarchical metrics system of outcome-based goals, indicators, and measures that offers a comprehensive framework for measuring progress during stabilization and reconstruction operations. A vital tool that can be used in conjunction with the groundbreaking Guiding Principles for Stabilization and Reconstruction, this manual provides the basis for baseline operation and strategic-level assessment, allowing policymakers to diagnose potential obstacles to stabilization prior to an intervention. ...

This document provides guidance on the uses of video in a participatory-action-research process for peacebuilding. It summarizes the Interpeace experience on the use of video footage and video documentaries in peacebuilding. ...

This document in the 'Peacebuilding How?' series by InterPeace examines the value of systems analysis over 'traditional' frameworks for conflict analysis. It provides a detailed outline of the steps in systems analysis in conflict.  ...

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the challenges related to the assessment of impacts of peacebuilding, notably in post-conflict situations. The first part of the paper sets the context and describes how peacebuilding, notwithstanding initial resistances, eventually became accepted into development thinking and development practices....

This document provides methodological guidance for designing and conducting key informant interviews using direct observation techniques.  ...

Whereas the more traditional measure of progress against the plan will generally focus upon the fast dynamics in the environment, purposeful assessment must also include assessment of the slow processes in the community. In addition, Purposeful assessment must not focus simply on those effects that have been considered within planning but must consider all effects that may have an impact on the success of the intervention.    ...

This document provides guidance for conceptualizing, writing, selecting and measuring project performance indicators. Offers practical assistance within the larger context of articulating theories of change, conceptualizing and writing objective and results statements, and creating logical and results frameworks. ...

Project design and proposal writing are core responsibilities for CRS programming staff and take much investment of our human and financial resources. ProPack (Project Package) aims to help CRS staff work in a consistent manner with partners to raise the quality of our planning processes....

CRS and the American Red Cross collaborated on a set of M&E training and capacity-building materials for field staff, covering topics in project and program design, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The ultimate aim was to improve the ability to evaluate impacts of Food for Peace/Title II programs....

This series provides guidance for designing and implementing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system. This series supports and complements CRS’ global M&E standards (CRS 2009). While the global standards represent the agency’s commitment to quality M&E as a key component of program quality, this series provides ‘how to’ guidance for operationalizing this commitment in practice. ...

The intent of this document is to introduce the concept of developmental evaluation to potential users and to provide some tools to support its use.While this primer includes examples of developmental evaluation being applied in innovative projects, it is an embryonic discipline and new ideas about it are still emerging. ...

Outlines how to do evaluations under budget, time, and data constraints, as well as political influences. This extensive summary of the book illustrates tradeoffs and presents practical options for addressing such issues at the design and implementation stages of a typical evaluation. ...

This paper is a record of an international workshop in September 2010 on the evaluation of storytelling as a peacebuilding methodology. It includes lessons learned and useful methodological tips for evaluating the use of storytelling.  ...

24 individuals from around the world--who are actively engaged with issues related to conflict resolution and evaluation--met to discss issues relating to emerging practice and theory in conflict resolution evaluation. This paper captures the essence of the discussion around those emerging themes and further develops the issues through research and analysis.  Part 1: This paper provides information about current practices in the field and a framework through which to structure evaluation discussions. Part 2: This paper is the result of the second phase of the project. ...

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty....

Good quality data are one of the most important aspects of conducting an impact evaluation, but obtaining or generating high quality data entails trade-offs and difficulties. Compromises inevitably need to be made. Collecting new data is not always necessary for carrying out a rigorous impact evaluation, but it is often desirable where affordable....

This presentation by Marie M. Gaarder introduces the types of, and possible issues with, experimental as well as quasi-experimental designs in impact assessments. Includes information on key issues with randomization, matching, and internal and external validity. ...

This report has two purposes: to summarize what we have learned over the past 15 years about how to evaluate community change initiatives, and to identify strategies for enhancing the evidence base about what it takes to improve conditions in poor communities....