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.
Evaluation plans and operations checklist
This checklist from the Evaluation Checklists Project provides a guide to those interested in conducting a preliminary, formative metaevaluation.ThematicAnalysis.net
This website describes thematic analysis, "a range of qualitative research methods that are used for exploring and interpreting patterned meaning across datasets."The ‘5-whys’ method
This document explains the idea behind the 'Five Whys' method.Process tracing
This document explores the challenges, uses and application of process tracing as a method for tracing the causal relationship of events and outcomes.Evaluation questions
This site provides a step-by-step guide on how to identify appropriate questions for an evaluation.Monitoring the composition and evolution of the research networks of the CGIAR research program on roots, tubers and bananas (RTB)
This Brief provides an example of how Social Network Analysis (SNA) can be used, in the context of agricultural research.Time to listen: Hearing people on the receiving end of international aid
The book Time to Listen: Hearing People on the Receiving End of International Aid provides a rich overview of international aid, from the perspective of those who receive financial assistance.The structure and function of complex networks
The article provides an overview of types and characteristics of networks, as well as models for analyzing how complex networks function.Using the context, input, process, and product evaluation model (CIPP) as a comprehensive framework
This Journal article, in the context of education, provides an overview of what the CIPP model is, in which circumstances it is useful, and finally provides a practical example of how the model was used.Planning evaluability assessments: A synthesis of the literature with recommendations
The report presents a synthesis of the literature on Evaluability Assessments.Randomised control trials for the impact evaluation of development initiatives: a statistician's point of view
This paper from the Institutional Learning and Change (ILAC) Initiative provides a range of technical and practical reflections on the use of randomised control trials in impact evaluation.Making causal claims
This brief, authored by John Mayne for the Institutional Learning and Change (ILAC) Initiative argues the need for a different perspective on causality.CIPP evaluation model checklist
Stufflebeam provides an explanation of what CIPP is, and a checklist designed to help evaluators evaluate programs with relatively long-term goals.The use of social network analysis tools in the evaluation of social change communications
The article presents an introduction on social network analysis (SNA) and how it was used in M&E practices, in different fields. It also discuss limitations and opportunities of using SNA.Learning alliances: An approach for building multi-stakeholder innovation systems
Millions of dollars are spent each year on research and development (R&D) initiatives in an attempt to improve rural livelihoods in the developing world, but rural poverty remains an intractable problem in many places.Appreciative Inquiry: An approach for learning and change based on our own best practices
This brief outlines appreciative inquiry principles, methods, domains, and a recent example of its use.50 top tools for social media monitoring, analytics, and management
This blog post by Pam Dyer lists 50 different tools for gathering, analysing and reporting data about social media.Evaluation advisory groups
This journal from the American Evaluation Association (AEA) provides a detailed overview of Evaluation Advisory Groups with chapters devoted to the roles of groups in a variety of evaluation scenarios.Handbook on monitoring and evaluating for results
This guide from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides a detailed overview for using the UNDP evaluation framework in evaluations of UNDP projects and programs.United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Evaluation competency framework
This resource presents the revised evaluation competencies for the United Nations system, highlighting their importance for evaluators, evaluation unit heads, commissioners, and users.Responsible data stewardship
This report from the Open Data Institute discusses key concepts including ‘data stewardship’, ‘data ethics’, ‘data justice’ ‘data for good’ ‘responsible data’, ‘data sovereignty’, ‘Indigenous data sovereignty’, and ‘data feminism’.Landscape analysis equity centered evaluation
This Southern-led research was facilitated by six Global South organizations from Latin America, Asia and Africa who joined forces to transform inequitable practices mainstreamed in the evaluation of international cooperation initiatives woCritical systems heuristics: A systematic review
This paper argues that critical systems heuristics (CSH) has been an influential approach, but one that is underutilised compared with other methods.Critical systems heuristics: The idea and practice of boundary critique
This chapter provides a detailed introduction to critical systems heuristics and the use of its central tool, boundary critique.Guidelines for applying the climate and ecosystems health criterion in the commissioning, design and implementation of evaluations
This guide sets out the rationale for why climate and ecosystem health need to be addressed by all evaluations and how this might be done during the commissioning, design and conduct of an evaluation.Integrating a transformative equity criterion into evaluations for promoting transformative systemic change
This guide sets out the rationale for why transformative equity needs to be addressed by all evaluations, especially in the South African context of high inequality, and how this might be done during the commissioning, design and conduct ofConcept mapping, mind mapping and argument mapping: what are the differences and do they matter?
This paper, written by Martin Davies, explores the similarities and differences between the different forms of mapping tools that are referred to as 'concept mapping', 'mind mapping', and 'argument mapping'.Principles and guidelines for ethical research and evaluation
This document from the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) sets out four principles that are aimed at raising awareness of and assisting in the identification of ethical issues when undertaking research and evaluation.Policy briefs
This paper from the Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC) provides a detailed discussion of the use and development of policy briefs.How to write effective policy briefs
This slideshow from Communication Policy Research South (CPR South) outlines the process for creating a policy brief and includes a number of examples to demonstrate their use.How to write a policy brief
This webpage and slideshow from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) outline the purpose and process for writing policy briefs.Mentoring matters
This Primary Health Care Research & Information Service webpage provides an overview of the importance and benefits of a good mentoring program.