Search

The Art of Assessing the Impact of Advocacy Work

Resource

Overview

2002

This paper explores the complex and changing nature of advocacy work, arguing that in many cases standardized forms of Monitoring & Evaluation/ Impact Analysis (M&E/IA) are likely to be inappropriate, as they will probably provide misleading information, and may create incentives that undermine joint action.

Tools for Policy Impact: A Handbook for Researchers

Resource

Guide

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI), as part of its Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) programme, has been looking at the links between research and policy for several years. It is now beginning a process of identifying, developing, distributing and delivering tools, resources and training support that can help research providers access the policy process. This handbook presents work in progress on tools for policy impact, specifically geared towards the needs of researchers. Overall, the RAPID programme aims to improve the use of research and evidence in development policy and practice through research, advice and debate.

The Center for Evaluation Innovation

Resource

Website

The Center for Evaluation Innovation focuses on expanding evaluation practice in new directions and into new arenas. They specialize in fields that are hard to measure, like advocacy, communications, and systems change. In the area of advocacy evaluation, the Center is helping to advance this emerging field through working with many pioneering and creative advocates, evaluators, and funders committed to growing it through collaboration.

Issues in assessing the policy influence of research

Resource

Overview

This paper presents a methodology for assessing the influence of research on public policy. The article reviews the origins of the methodology, outlines it in depth, and explores the outcomes after implementation. It concludes with issues in the revision of the methodology.

Handbook on monitoring, evaluating and managing knowledge for policy influence

Resource

Guide

2011

This handbook from the Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC) is designed to support research institutions develop monitoring and evaluation and knowledge management systems in order to improve their performance.

Assessing the impact of research on policy

Resource

Overview

2008

The authors of this review analyse various evaluation options (including ethnographic and quantitative approaches, focus groups, process tracing, and network mapping and analysis) in order to find out which ones are the most suitable to evaluate the impact of research on policy change.

Advocacy Impact Evaluation

Resource

Example

This paper from Michael Quinn Patton presents a retrospective case study in which the the potential influence of judicial advocacy efforts targeted at the Supreme Court is assessed.

The Elusive Craft of Evaluating Advocacy

Resource

Overview

2011

This article describes the challenges of evaluating advocacy organizations and outlines possible approaches that donors might use. The authors believe that nothing big happens without advocacy understood as concerted efforts to direct public policy (or in some cases, private or corporate decisions) toward socially useful ends. Advocacy includes every form of research, activist journalism, persuasion, coalition-building, and public relations, as well as lobbying and political activity.

Green Media Toolshed

Resource

Website

Green Media Toolshed is a website that aims to provide tools and training to improve the effectiveness of 'green' messages' to the public from environmental movements