By Nkwake, Apollo M., with a Foreword by Michael Bamberger. 2013, 2013, XXI, 184 p. 14 illus., 7 in color. Published by Springer and available on Amazon
Publisher description
“Provides tools for understanding effective development programming and quality program evaluations Contains workshop materials for graduate students and in-service training for development evaluators The author brings together more than 12 years of experience in evaluation of international development programs
Regardless of geography or goal, development programs and policies are fueled by a complex network of implicit ideas. Stakeholders may hold assumptions about purposes, outcomes, methodology, and the value of project evaluation and evaluators—which may or may not be shared by the evaluators. Even when all participants share goals, failure to recognize and articulate assumptions can impede clarity and derail progress.
Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation probes their crucial role in planning, and their contributions in driving, global projects involving long-term change. Drawing on his extensive experience in the field, the author offers elegant logic and instructive examples to relate assumptions to the complexities of program design and implementation, particularly in weighing their outcomes. The book emphasizes clarity of purpose, respect among collaborators, and collaboration among team members who might rarely or never meet otherwise. Importantly, the book is a theoretical and practical volume that:
· Introduces the multiple layers of assumptions on which global interventions are based.
· Explores various approaches to the evaluation of complex interventions, with their underlying assumptions.
· Identifies ten basic types of assumptions and their implications for program development and evaluation.
· Provides examples of assumptions influencing design, implementation, and evaluation of development projects.
· Offers guidelines in identifying, explicating, and evaluating assumptions
A first-of-its-kind resource, Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation opens out the processes of planning, implementation, and assessment for professionals in global development, including practitioners, development economists, global development program designers, and nonprofit personnel.”
Rick Davies comment: Looks potentially useful, but VERY expensive at £85.50 Few individuals will buy it but organisations might do so. Ideally the author would make a cheaper paperback version available. And Amazaon should provide a “Look inside this book” option, to help people decide if spending £85.50 would be worthwhile. PS: I think the publishers, and maybe the author, would fail the marshmellow test
Rick Davies postcript: The Foreword, Preface and Contents page of the book is available as a pdf, here on the Springer website.
See also:
- ToC Reflection Notes 3: Working with Assumptions in a Theory of Change Process Irene Guijt, March 2013
- Chapter 4: “Why are assumptions so important in Theory of Change thinking?” in Review of the use of ‘Theory of Change’ in International Development. Review Report, Isabel Vogel, April 2012
