The BetterEvaluation Resource Library contains hundreds of curated and co-created resources related to managing, conducting, using, and strengthening capacity for evaluation.
You can use the search field and filtering on this page to find resources that you are interested in or you can browse our extensive list. An alternative way to find resources best suited to your needs is to explore the Rainbow Framework, where you can find resources relating to evaluation methods, approaches and tasks.
Facilitating management learning: Developing critical reflection through reflective tools
Although focused on viewing critical reflection through the scope of management learning, this article discusses a range of critical reflection tools that have been drawn from other professional areas, such as storytelling, metapClosing the citizen feedback loop
This article, written by Dennis Whittle and David Bonbright for Keystone Accountability, argues that collecting and responding to feedback is essential as it is not only the right thing to do but it is also the smart thing to do.Building the evidence base for post project evaluation: Case study review and evaluability checklists
This report to the Faster Forward Fund by Laurie Zivetz and Jindra Cekan of Valuing Voices compares findings from eight end-of-project and subsequent post project evaluations.Evidence base journal
ANZSOG's peer-reviewed journal, Evidence Base, publishes reviews of the evidence informing decision-making in specific policy areas.Embedding evaluation in national plans and policies to foster transformative development
This IIED Briefing Paper argues that meaningful evaluation of progress towards achieving sustainable development extends beyond supporting voluntary national reviews, and that for the full potential of evaluation to be realised, evaluationGender equality and big data: Making gender data visible
The report from UN Women, with support from UN Global Pulse, outlines the value of big data for monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to women.Partner-led evaluation for policy research programmes: A thought piece on the KNOWFOR programme evaluation
This paper discusses the strengths, challenges and appropriateness of a partner-led evaluation approach, drawing on the experience of the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID)-funded InternationalFrom monitoring goals to systems-informed evaluation: Insights from SDG14
This briefing paper from IIED argues that if the world is going to make significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, development actors will need to think and work in new ways, including in eWhat methods may be used in impact evaluations of humanitarian assistance?
This 3ie working paper examines the extent to which impact evaluation methods can provide evidence to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency in humanitarian action.Measuring results and impact in the age of big data
This paper explores the nexus of data science and evaluation, probing the issues and challenges of incorporating big data into evaluation practice. This resource and the following information was contributed by Alice Macfarlan.How does the commissioning process hinder the uptake of complexity-appropriate evaluation?
Drawing on interviews with 19 UK evaluation commissioners and contractors, this paper investigates the role of evaluation commissioning in hindering the take-up of complexity-appropriate evaluation methods and explores ways of improving thiThe hidden life of theories of change
One common criticism of Theory of Change is that it is often used as a framework that fixes agreements rather than as a living, guiding tool that helps reflection and adaptation.What is impact?
This discussion paper discusses the meaning of 'impact', moving beyond methodological debates to present different perspectives and dimensions that can affect how impact could be framed and evaluated.Impact investments: A literature review
This paper reviews literature on the evaluation of impact investments. Various tools and approaches for assessing social value are identified and theoretical considerations are discussed.The next frontier for measurement and evaluation: Social impact measurement for impact investing and market solutions
This paper provides a succinct summary of how evaluators need to evolve and develop tools to meet the need of impact investors for timely, cost-effective, data and evidence about social and environmental returns.Situating the next generation of impact measurement and evaluation for impact investing
To support the growth of a stronger evidence base for contributions to positive social and environmental impacts this paper presents a typology for structuring thinking about impact measurement and evaluation for impact investing.Indigenous evaluation strategy (draft strategy)
A draft strategy document on a new Indigenous Evaluation Strategy for programs and policies that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Multi-stakeholder partnerships: Building blocks for success
This report provides an evidence-based assessment of the performance of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development concluding that the overall performance of partnerships is mixed at best, and discussing factors that increasPartnership Indicators: Measuring the effectiveness of multi-sector approaches to service provision
This paper provides considerations for the creation of partnership indicators for tri-partite partnerships (private sector, public sector and civil society/NGOs) in water and sanitation provision for poor communities in developing countriesEvaluating the non-academic impact of academic research: Design considerations
In this journal article, Andrew Gunn (University of Leeds) and Michael Mintrom (ANZSOG/Monash University) explore how evaluation of non-academic research impact can measure impact effectively without undermining academic freedom aQualitative comparative analysis: A valuable approach to add to the evaluator’s ‘toolbox’? Lessons from recent applications
Based on the lessons from three diverse applications of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), this Centre for Development Impact Practice Paper by Florian Schatz and Katharina Welle reflects on the potential of this approach for theWhen and how to develop an impact-oriented monitoring and evaluation system
Many development programme staff have had the experience of commissioning an impact evaluation towards the end of a project or programme only to find that the monitoring system did not provide adequate data about implementation, context, baACFID and value for money - Discussion paper
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) created this discussion paper to generate meaningful debate and help their sector work with AusAID to define value for money better.Footprint evaluation: Thought experiments
This Footprint Evaluation Initiative report describes four 'thought experiments' undertaken as part of this project.Evaluating sustainability: Evaluative support for managing processes in the public interest
This special issue of New Directions in Evaluation includes discussions of different types of sustainability – sustainable environment, sustainable development, sustainable programs, and sustainable evaluation systems – and a synthesis of tEvaluation at the nexus between nature and humanity for transformational change
This chapter from Transformational Evaluation for the Global Crises of Our Times argues for the need to transform evaluation in the light of current environmental crises and sets out the major ways this needs to happen.Systemic thinking for monitoring: Attending to interrelationships, perspectives, and boundaries
This discussion note from USAID presents "attending to interrelationships, multiple perspectives, and boundaries" as a key principle underlying complexity-aware monitoring.Synchronizing monitoring with the pace of change in complexity
This discussion note from USAID argues for synchronizing monitoring with the pace of change as a key principle underlying complexity-aware monitoring.Making adaptive rigour work: Principles and practices for strengthening monitoring, evaluation and learning for adaptive management
This briefing from the Global Learning for Adaptive Management (GLAM) initiative sets out key elements of an ‘adaptive rigour’ approach to adaptive management.Demonstrating outcomes and impact across different scales
This research report from the Research for Development Impact Network demonstrates how evidence of outcomes and impact can be better captured, integrated and reported on across different scales of work for Australian NGOs working in internaDoes development give poor people what they want?
This four-page Overseas Development Institute (ODI) background note introduces a central problem in development – that interventions do not address the key concerns of poor people.UNDP 2021/2022 Human Development Report. Uncertain times, unsettled lives: Shaping our future in a transforming world
This report comprehensively considers human development at a time of a new ‘uncertainty complex’ created by layers of uncertainties interacting.