"This first guidance note, Introduction to Impact Evaluation, provides an overview of impact evaluation, explaining how impact evaluation differs from – and complements – other types of evaluation, why impact evaluation should be done, when and by whom. It describes different methods, approaches... and designs that can be used for the different aspects of impact evaluation: clarifying values for the evaluation, developing a theory of how the intervention is understood to work, measuring or describing impacts and other important variables, explaining why impacts have occurred, synthesizing results, and reporting and supporting use. The note discusses what is considered good impact evaluation – evaluation that achieves a balance between the competing imperatives of being useful, rigorous, ethical and practical – and how to achieve this. Footnotes throughout the document contain references for further reading in specific areas." (Introduction, p.1)
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"This brief discusses the concept of theory of change in the broader sense of the term, while recognizing that it is sometimes defined more narrowly. A theory of change can be used for strategic planning or programme/policy planning to identify the current situation (in terms of needs and opportunit...ies), the intended situation and what needs to be done to move from one to the other. This can help to design more realistic goals, clarify accountabilities and establish a common understanding of the strategies to be used to achieve the goals. For example, the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2014–2017 is based on a theory of change that builds on UNICEF’s comparative advantages, and encompasses identifying and scaling up effective technological, scientific and programmatic innovations; improving organizational capacity for the implementation of policies and national laws; developing the capacities of children, families and communities to act as agents of change; and working in national and global partnerships. A theory of change can also be used during implementation to identify which indicators must be monitored, and to explain to staff, funders and partners how the programme or policy works." (p.2)
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"This book presents five cases that reflect on the experiences of using practices consistent with the 'Evaluating C4D framework' [published by June Lennie and Jo Tacchi in 2013]. Case studies are important to help move from a set of ideal principles to an understanding of how the framework may be op...erationalized within the actual realities of development institutions, organizations, and communities. The authors of each chapter focus on a few key principles from the framework and contextualize how they interpreted those principles in relation to various methods, models, and projects. As well as showing the usefulness and opportunities, they illustrate the challenges of balancing the various principles as well as real-world practical needs." (Overview of the book, p.10)
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