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.
Critical 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 ofPrinciples 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.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.Standards for evaluation in government
This guide, from the South African Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, outlines the standards by which government evaluations should take place.Institutionalizing evaluation: A review of international experience
This report, written by Bertha Briceño and Marie M.Case study evaluations - US General Accounting Office
This guide from the US General Accounting Office outlines good practice in case study evaluation and establishes a set of principles for applying case studies to evaluations.Using case studies to do program evaluation
This paper, authored by Edith D. Balbach for the California Department of Health Services is designed to help evaluators decide whether to use a case study evaluation approach.Methods for monitoring and evaluation
This annex to the International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) A Guide for Project M&E (PDF), summarises 34 useful methods for specific M&E tasks.Case study evaluations - World Bank
This guide, written by Linda G. Morra and Amy C. Friedlander for the World Bank, provides guidance and advice on the use of case studies.OECD-DAC principles for evaluation of development assistance
The OECD/DAC Network on Development Evaluation has updated the evaluation criteria definitions and principles for use after 25 years.Applying evaluation criteria thoughtfully
This guidance aims to help evaluators better understand the OECD-Development Assistance Committee (DAC) criteria and improve their use.Sampling for surveys: Stratified random sampling
These instructional videos provide a guide and examples of how to apply stratified random sampling.Sampling for surveys: Clustered random sampling
These instructional videos provide a guide and examples of how to apply clustered random sampling.Sampling for surveys: Sample size calculations
This instructional video explains how to calculate a sample size for a survey.Hiring an external evaluator
This resource helps you match an external evaluator to your needs through a set of practical steps, prompts, and tips.Evaluation standards for Latin America and the Caribbean
The evaluation standards for Latin America and the Caribbean were developed by a working group of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Monitoring, Evaluation and Systematization (ReLAC), with support from DEval’s evaluation capacityDiretrizes de Avaliação para a América Latina e o Caribe
Uma iniciativa da Rede de Monitoramento, Avaliação e Sistematização da América Latina e Caribe (ReLAC), em colaboração com DEval- FOCELAC+.Estándares de Evaluación para América Latina y el Caribe
Una iniciativa de la Red de Seguimiento, Evaluación y Sistematización de América Latina y el Caribe (ReLAC), con el apoyo de DEval- FOCELAC+.Normes de qualité pour l’évaluation du développement
Les Normes de qualité pour l’évaluation du développement se veulent un guide de bonnes pratiques pour l’évaluation dans le domaine du développement.DAC guidelines and reference series quality standards for development evaluation
Developed through a process of drafting, trialling and reviewing by members of the OECD DAC Network on Development Evaluation, the document sets out standards in terms of: overarching considerations; purpose, planning and design; implementation and…PMP evaluation plan guidance and templates
This guidance document and template outline the information to be included in a USAID Evaluation Plan as part of a Performance Management Plan (PMP).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 constantConducting effective meetings
This paper from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides a number of strategies to ensure that meetings reach stated objectives in an engaging and productive manner.Strengthening the regression discontinuity design using additional design elements: A within-study comparison
This paper compares the regression discontinuity design (RDD) to the randomised clinical trial approach and proposes adding untreated comparisons to RDD to mitigate weaknesses in the method.Evaluation of Legal Aid NSW Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities
This resource describes a mixed-methods, Aboriginal-led evaluation of the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities (CLSAC).Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating communities
This book from the Center for Digital Storytelling outlines the philosophy and practice involved with using digital storytelling in a development context.Better late than never: Workforce supply implications of later entry into nursing
This report analyses nurse workforce data from 2005 and concludes that the lack of interest in nursing may have been temporary, mainly confined to young people choosing their first career.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.