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Methodology

Methodology is more than methods. It is about how we think about knowledge, evidence and rigour, and whose ways of knowing shape the choices we make. Posts here explore methodological thinking especially at the evaluation-transformation nexus — evaluation OF, FOR, AS AND IN transformation — from technical design and mixed methods to epistemological foundations, complexity-or living systems responsive approaches, and what methodological fitness for purpose in this time of polycrisis demands.
18
Jul
Guest Post: How can evaluation step up to the transformational challenge?

Guest Post: How can evaluation step up to the transformational challenge?

Sam Buckton distils insights from his pioneering PhD research on transformation-focused evaluation. Based on a systematic review of the literature, he maps 12 principles that show how the evaluation field is advancing with the demands of transformative change in complex systems.
4 min read
19
Mar
The E-T Nexus: Connecting Evaluation and Transformation

The E-T Nexus: Connecting Evaluation and Transformation

Evaluation professionals increasingly work where evaluation and transformation meet – yet few truly navigate this space. This post introduces the evaluation-transformation nexus - evaluation OF, FOR, AS and In transformation - and its use when working on complex change.
6 min read
12
Nov
Guest post. Drawing from Complexity Science to do Evaluation: Knowledge to Drive Operational Decisions

Guest post. Drawing from Complexity Science to do Evaluation: Knowledge to Drive Operational Decisions

"I am going to analyse the data with statistics". "I am going to apply statistical thinking to
3 min read
03
Jun
Leaving no-one behind?

Leaving no-one behind?

I re-post this post - originally published on Evaluating Sustainable Development Goals. "To accomplish great things, we must not
6 min read
21
Apr
Diamonds for AWARD: Evaluation and the quest for African Women Science Leaders

Diamonds for AWARD: Evaluation and the quest for African Women Science Leaders

I re-post this post - originally published on Evidence Matters of EvalPartners - as illustration of an integrated approach to determining
7 min read
17
Apr
The Non-sense of Evaluating 'Development'

The Non-sense of Evaluating 'Development'

I am re-posting here a blog post I wrote in 2017 (Part 5 in my DAC Evaluation Criteria series)
6 min read
29
Sep
Guest post: Getting ready for transformational projects

Guest post: Getting ready for transformational projects

I connected with Daniel in 2019 when I was given access to a draft of the GIZ paper he discusses
6 min read
28
Apr
Guest Post: Dynamic Evaluation for Societal Transformation

Guest Post: Dynamic Evaluation for Societal Transformation

Osvaldo is one of the most knowledgeable professionals I have ever met - a veritable walking encyclopaedia of all matters related
5 min read
16
Nov
Guest post: Learning from Failure. Lessons for Evaluators and Organisations

Guest post: Learning from Failure. Lessons for Evaluators and Organisations

Experience of failure is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, one can hide it, blame it on others
3 min read
13
Nov
Ten tips for shifting to systems-informed evaluation

Ten tips for shifting to systems-informed evaluation

As one of three facilitators at a recent 3-day workshop organised in Connecticut by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) on
2 min read