Research for Haiti

Evaluation Resources: Free Introduction and Guidance on Impact Evaluations

The Network of Networks on Impact Evaluation (NONIE) has a very readable and fairly brief introductory text, Guidance on Impact Evaluation, available for free on its web site. (Note: Keep in mind that impact evaluation is not the only kind of evaluation, so this is not a review of the broader field of evaluation.)

From the introduction:

The purpose of NONIE is to promote more and better impact evaluations among its members. Issues relating to evaluations in general are more effectively dealt with in the parent networks, and are thus not the primary focus of NONIE. NONIE will focus on sharing of methods and learning-by-doing to promote the practice of IE (impact evaluation). The current Guidance document was developed for supporting those purposes.

The Guidance is structured around nine key issues in impact evaluation:

1. Identify the (type and scope of the) intervention
2. Agree on what is valued
3. Carefully articulate the theories linking interventions to outcomes
4. Address the attribution problem
5. Use a mixed methods approach: The logic of the comparative advantages of methods
6. Build on existing knowledge relevant to the impact of interventions
7. Determine if an impact evaluation is feasible and worth the cost
8. Start collecting data early
9. Front-end planning is important

Creole: Various Creole Language Resrouces

Various free resources in Creole or for learning Creole:

• Hesperian Foundation has many famous health books in Creole for free including "Where there is not Doctor"
• Basic Creole lessons for free from Indiana University Creole Institute and Pimsleur (may be time limited)

Do others have resources to add? Place in comments section of email me at doug.hess.haiti  [at] gmail com.

Evaluation: Textbooks

Do you have introductory books (or articles) on evaluation to suggest? I will try to post some online resources later, of course, but here are two books with a wealth of introductory information on evaluation. The books below are texts for graduate students and professionals. Thus, while readable, the size and breadth of these books may not make them useful for boardmembers or organizational membership, so I will look for some workbooks and other materials that address those audiences. If people have materials in French or Creole they wish to identify for others, please send it in (see top post for contact information).

1. Evaluation: A Systematic Approach by Rossi, Lipsey, and Freeman. Often considered THE introductory text to the field of evaluation. The link takes you to Google Books where much of the book is availabe for examination. Even with a few pages missing, many of the chapters are well worth reading or consulting on-line if that is your only form of access.
   
2. Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation edited by Wholey, Hatry, and Newcomer. Each chapter introduces a topic or innovation in evaluation; this is not an overal introduction but readable reviews of essential topics by experts. Again, much of the book can be reviewed at Google Books which is where the link above takes you.