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.
- 185 results found
- X Discussion paper
- X Professional Development
Implementing the vision: addressing challenges to results-focused management and budgeting
Burt Perrin's 2002 report to the OECD outlines common challenges in performance measurement and results-based management, and identifies potential solutions to these.2013 Spring report of the Auditor General of Canada: Chapter 1—Status report on evaluating the effectiveness of programs
This report presents the results of a performance audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.Facilitating management learning: Developing critical reflection through reflective tools
Although focused on viewing critical reflection through the scope of management learning, this article discusses a range of critical reflection tools that have been drawn from other professional areas, such as storytelling, metaphors,Advocacy Matters: Helping children change their world
This guide, written by Louisa Gosling and David Cohen for the International Save the Children Alliance, is designed to support organisations to run training workshops that will enable them to caComplexity Explorer
This webpage from the Santa Fe Institute provides a range of online courses and materials to improve the understanding and knowledge of complex systems science.The network diagram - bringing order to project work flows
All links on this page lead to archived resourcesThe value iceberg: weighing the benefits of advocacy and campaigning
BetterEvaluation Discussion Paper 1 is a thought piece written by Rhonda Schlangen and Jim Coe (independent consultants), members of the BetterEvaluation Community, and is intended to promote discussion.How Feedback Loops Can Improve Aid (and Maybe Governance)
This paper, written by Dennis Whittle for the Center for Global Development, outlines a set of principles that can be used to support the development of feedback loops for international development prograClosing the citizen feedback loop
This article, written by Dennis Whittle and David Bonbright for Keystone Accountability, argues that collecting and responding to feedback is essential as it is not only the right thing to do but it is also the smart thing to do.Using case studies to explore the external validity of ‘complex’ development interventions
Michael Woolcock's paper addresses the fact that rising standards required for assessing the impact of development projects have not been met with equally rigorous procedures for guiding decisions about external validity - "whether and howData Quality
This online course from the Global Health Learning Centre is designed to help learners understand what data quality is, why it is important, and what programs can do to improve it.9 free books for learning data mining & data analysis
This list compiled by Alex Ivanovs brings together a range of books aimed at both beginners and those who are looking to fill in gaps in their knowledge.Workshop on the Councillor as Guardian of the Environment
This workshop, from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is aimed at locally elected officials involved in environmental governance.Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: Systematic review and recommendations
This article summarizes an extensive literature review addressing the question, How can we spread and sustain innovations in health service delivery and organization?Building the evidence base for post project evaluation: Case study review and evaluability checklists
This report to the Faster Forward Fund by Laurie Zivetz and Jindra Cekan of Valuing Voices compares findings from eight end-of-project and subsequent post project evaluations.Evidence base journal
ANZSOG's peer-reviewed journal, Evidence Base, publishes reviews of the evidence informing decision-making in specific policy areas.Embedding evaluation in national plans and policies to foster transformative development
This IIED Briefing Paper argues that meaningful evaluation of progress towards achieving sustainable development extends beyond supporting voluntary national reviews, and that for the full potential of evaluation to be realised, evaluationGender 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.Introduction to collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) in the program cycle
This free, one-hour online course by USAID gives an introduction to the Collaboration, Learning, Adapting (CLA) approach.Partner-led evaluation for policy research programmes: A thought piece on the KNOWFOR programme evaluation
This paper discusses the strengths, challenges and appropriateness of a partner-led evaluation approach, drawing on the experience of the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID)-funded International Forestry KnowledgeFrom monitoring goals to systems-informed evaluation: Insights from SDG14
This briefing paper from IIED argues that if the world is going to make significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, development actors will need to think and work in new ways, including in evaluaOn the Right Track? A brief review of monitoring and evaluation in the humanitarian sector.
In this review, Action Against Hunger (ACF) looks at responses from 15 agencies on their intentions for evaluation and the data that they are collecting.What methods may be used in impact evaluations of humanitarian assistance?
This 3ie working paper examines the extent to which impact evaluation methods can provide evidence to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency in humanitarian action.Measuring 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.Webinar recording: When the ‘field’ is online – qualitative data collection
This NVIVO webinar explores ways that researchers can adapt their research approach using online data collection when face to face fieldwork isn’t possible.How does the commissioning process hinder the uptake of complexity-appropriate evaluation?
Drawing on interviews with 19 UK evaluation commissioners and contractors, this paper investigates the role of evaluation commissioning in hindering the take-up of complexity-appropriate evaluation methods and explores ways of improving thiConsiderations for using data responsibly at USAID
The aim of this resource is to provide a framework for identifying and understanding risks associated with the collection and use of data.The hidden life of theories of change
One common criticism of Theory of Change is that it is often used as a framework that fixes agreements rather than as a living, guiding tool that helps reflection and adaptation.What is impact?
This discussion paper discusses the meaning of 'impact', moving beyond methodological debates to present different perspectives and dimensions that can affect how impact could be framed and evaluated.Impact investing: Transforming how we make money while making a difference
This article provides an introduction to impact investing concepts, the history and growth of impact investing, and examples of impact investing.Impact investments: A literature review
This paper reviews literature on the evaluation of impact investments. Various tools and approaches for assessing social value are identified and theoretical considerations are discussed.Interrogating the theory of change: Evaluating impact investing where it matters most
This article uses case examples to demonstrate the value of using theory of change at all levels of impact investing and affirms the importance of accountability and learning across combinations of evaluation methods.