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Filter search resultsRevolutionary 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 analyseResourcePrinciples-focused evaluation the GUIDE
How can programs and organizations ensure they are adhering to core principles—and assess whether doing so is yielding desired results?ResourceGender 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.ResourceMeasuring 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.ResourceGlobal 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.ResourceDiscussion 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.ResourceBig data for development: challenges & opportunities
This white paper by UN Global Pulse examines the use of Big Data in development contexts.ResourceRealist Evaluation Workshop
The focus of this one-day workshop was to build practical skills to conduct a realist evaluation for international development projects and programmes. The rapidly changing context of development assistance in recent years combined witResourceGeospatial 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.ResourceLearning 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.ResourceWeek 44: Anecdote as epithet - Rumination #1 from qualitative research and evaluation methods
The 4th edition of Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods by Michael Quinn Patton will be published in mid-November, 2014. A new feature is one personal “rumination” in each chapter.BlogWeek 47: Rumination #3: Fools' gold: the widely touted methodological "gold standard" is neither golden nor a standard
This week's post is an abbreviated version of a "rumination" from theBlogWeek 49: The 1st international conference on realist approaches to evaluation: my ‘realist’ take-aways
In this blog, Tiina shares her top three realist ‘take-aways’ from the 1st International Conference on Realist Approaches to Evaluation and reflects on when or how realist evaluation may be most useful.BlogBig data and evaluation: Use and implications
Big data is emerging as a new world currency.BlogWhat about administrative data?
In this guest blog, Kerry McCarthy discusses some of the options for finding administrative data sets for use in evaluation.Blog2017 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 RamesesBlogDigital 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.ResourceEvaluation contract checklist
This checklist is designed to help evaluators and clients identify key contractual issues that require agreement before an evaluation can commence.ResourceEvidence-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 conResourceAwards
An award is a formal recognition by peers of outstanding individuals or practice. Some awards are made for cumulative good practice, and others are for exemplars of good practice, such as awards for the best evaluation.MethodRealist evaluation introductory resources
This website, from e-MOPs, provides an introduction to Realist Evaluation and includes links to a range of resources, including academic papers, video introductions, online community resources and case studies.ResourceCEDIL Methods Brief - Using big data for impact evaluations
This paper provides detailed guidance on using big data to fill data gaps in impact evaluations.ResourceRealist evaluation
Realist evaluation aims to identify the underlying generative causal mechanisms that explain how outcomes were caused and how context influences these.ApproachRealist evaluation
An approach especially to impact evaluation which examines what works for whom in what circumstances through what causal mechanisms, including changes in the reasoning and resources of participants.ApproachWeek 46: Rumination #2: Confusing empathy with bias
Researchers and evaluators are admonished to stay rational and independent.BlogRealist impact evaluation: An introduction
Realist impact evaluation is an approach to impact evaluation that emphasises the importance of context for programme outcomes.ResourceIntroduction: Contribution, causality, context, and contingency when evaluating inclusive business programmes
This IDS Bulletin discusses approaches and methods for meaningful impact evaluation, building on real-world experiences with theory-based evaluation in inclusive business programmes.ResourceRealistic evaluation bloodlines
This article, written by Ray Pawson and Nick Tilley analyses six different social science inquiries from around the globe that use a variety of methods and strategies in order to draw conclusions about realistic evaluations.ResourceMaking rigorous causal claims in a real-life context: Has research contributed to sustainable forest management?
This article discusses an impact evaluation that examined the contribution of two forestry research centres - the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pourResourceCausal Pathways introductory session: Realist evaluation
This session of the Causal Pathways Symposium 2023, by Melanie Punton, is an introduction to Realist Evaluation, a theory-based evaluation approach based on the idea that interventions do not work for everyone, all the time.ResourceCausal Pathways 2023 Symposium and 2024 introductory sessions
This series of webinars was first presented at the Causal Pathways Symposium 2023, which focused on "connecting, learning, and building a shared understanding of the evaluation and participatory practices that make causal pathways more visible"ResourceBig data
Big data refers to data that are so large and complex that traditional methods of collection and analysis are not possible.Method