OED guidance note on evaluation syntheses

This document from the FAO Office of Evaluation provides guidance for evaluators to plan, formulate and conduct evaluation syntheses.

This resource and the following information was contributed by Renata Mirulla.

Authors and their affiliation

Rachel Sauvinet Bedouin, Senior evaluation officer, Office of Evaluation (OED), FAO

Seda Kojoyan, Evaluation officer, Office of Evaluation (OED), FAO

Renate Roels, Evaluation officer, Office of Evaluation (OED), FAO

Paul Neuman, Evaluation officer, Office of Evaluation (OED), FAO

Carolina Turano, Evaluation officer, Office of Evaluation (OED), FAO

Key features

The use of evaluation synthesis has been growing in recent years, in part due to the recognition that good evaluation synthesis can be a powerful means of extracting knowledge from individual evaluations.

This guidance note provides a reference for evaluators with respect to planning, formulating and conducting evaluation syntheses. It includes a table that clarifies the main differences in wider evidence synthesis and provides web links to further information. The note also distinguishes between the types of synthesis which can be appropriate to conduct depending whether less or more time and resources are available.

How have you used or intend on using this resource?

The guide is particularly helpful to help understand the rationale for doing a synthesis and the approaches to take.

Why would you recommend it to other people?

It is quite comprehensive and at the same time short and easy to read. Despite being originally planned to support OED evaluators, guidance and lessons are valuable to anyone interested in undertaking or commissioning evaluation synthesis.

Sources

Kojoyan, S., Roels, R., Neuman, P., Turano, C., & Bedouin, R.S. (2021). OED Guidance Note on Evaluation Synthesis. FAO Office of Evaluation. Retrieved from: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7077en/cb7077en.pdf