Search

  • Realist synthesis: an introduction

    This guide, written by Ray Pawson, Trisha Greenhalgh, Gill Harvey and Kieran Walshe for the ESRC Research Methods Programme, provides an introduction to using realist synthesi
    Resource
  • Revolutionary Google-backed system unlocks power of big data to save forests

    This blog post from Rhett A Butler for Mongabay.com outlines the use of a new tool, Global Forest Watch, which uses big data to monitor global forests on a monthly basis.  Utilising Google’s computing cloud the tool is able to analyse
    Resource
  • Designing the face-to-face survey

    This chapter by W. Lawrence Neuman gives a detailed overview to collection of questionnaire data through a face-to-face survey method.
    Resource
  • Gender 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.
    Resource
  • Question and questionnaire design

    This chapter Jon A. Krosnick and Stanley Presser presents a number of recommendations about survey design based on conventional wisdom and a review of the methodological literature.
    Resource
  • Designing quality survey questions

    Designing Quality Survey Questions addresses challenges such as language preferences for standard demographic questions (e.g.
    Resource
  • 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.
    Resource
  • Global innovations in measurement and evaluation

    This report by NPC highlights their research into the latest developments in theory and practice in measurement and evaluation. The authors found that new thinking, techniques, and technology are influencing and improving practice.
    Resource
  • Designing Surveys: A Guide to Decisions and Procedures

    'Designing Surveys: A Guide to Decisions and Procedures' is an excellent resource for both academics and professionals who are conducting small to moderate sized surveys.
    Resource
  • Discussion Paper: Innovations in Monitoring and Evaluation

    This discussion paper produced by the United Nations Development Programme discusses various innovations that are occurring in M&E, and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.
    Resource
  • Big data for development: challenges & opportunities

    This white paper by UN Global Pulse examines the use of Big Data in development contexts.
    Resource
  • Lessons learned using online survey software

    This blog post from Susan Kristler provides on overview of the various strengths and weaknesses of using online survey software.
    Resource
  • Geospatial analysis in evaluation

    This blog from the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) highlights the role of geospatial data in understanding change in phenomena, and answering questions of relevance and effectiveness of development interventions.
    Resource
  • Learning from data innovation

    This episode from the IEG podcast 'What have we learned' features Brenda Barbour and Jos Vaessen discussing the opportunities and challenges of using innovative technologies with evaluation data.
    Resource
  • Big data and evaluation: Use and implications

    Big data is emerging as a new world currency.
    Blog
  • BetterEvaluation FAQ: How do you go about analyzing data that has been collected from respondents via a questionnaire?

    In this edition of the BE FAQ blog, we address a question that comes up quite often: How do you go about analysing data that has been collected from respondents via a questionnaire?
    Blog
  • What about administrative data?

    In this guest blog, Kerry McCarthy discusses some of the options for finding administrative data sets for use in evaluation.
    Blog
  • 2017 International realist conference

    We've got our head in realism this week, partly because early-bird registrations for the 2017 International Realist Conference close soon, and partly because we've been shown Chris Lysy's realist cartoon series (commissioned by the Rameses
    Blog
  • Digital dividends in natural resource management

    The report sets out research findings on the "digital dividends" of various types of technology on natural resource management in low and middle-income countries.
    Resource
  • Mail questionnaire

    Questionnaires can be mailed out to a sample of the population, enabling the researcher to connect with a wide range of people.
    Method
  • Internet questionnaire

    An internet questionnaire allows the collection of data through an electronic set of questions that are posted on the web. 
    Method
  • Evidence-based policy: A realist perspective

    This book, written by Ray Pawson, provides a critique of the meta-analytic approach and argues that the realist synthesis is a better way of understanding program theory, therefore enabling properly targeted policies to address the con
    Resource
  • Collecting evaluation data: Surveys

    This concise guide, prepared by Ellen Taylor-Powell and Carol Hermann for the University of Wisconsin Extension, offers a useful introduction to telephone-specific and broader survey design approaches.
    Resource
  • CEDIL Methods Brief - Using big data for impact evaluations

    This paper provides detailed guidance on using big data to fill data gaps in impact evaluations.
    Resource
  • Surveys in social research

    This sixth edition of Surveys In Social Research by David de Vaus provides detailed guidance and advice on planning, conducting and analysing social surveys and emphasises the links between theory and research,
    Resource
  • Web-based surveys

    This website from the Journal of Extension (JOE) provides a guide to the purpose and use of web-based surveys.
    Resource
  • Big data

    Big data refers to data that are so large and complex that traditional methods of collection and analysis are not possible. 
    Method