An Integrated Merla (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting) Framework for Evidence-Based Program Improvement
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12470473 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rachel D Stelmach (0000-0002-4903-4995, RTI International, corresponding author), Elizabeth Fitch (0000-0001-7145-5254, RTI International), Molly Chen (0000-0003-3010-4700, RTI International), Meagan Meekins (0000-0003-0207-9667, RTI International), Rebecca M Flueckiger (0000-0003-4294-2816, RTI International), Rajeev Colaço (0000-0001-8516-9865, RTI International) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 504-514 |
| Publication date | 2021-08-12 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Journal of Evaluation (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1098-2140 • E-ISSN: 1557-0878 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/10982140211018751 |
| OpenAlex | W3195010047 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 23 |
Monitoring, evaluation, and research activities generate important data, but they often fail to change policies or programs. In addition, local program staff and partners often feel disconnected from these activities, which undermines their ownership of data and results. To bridge the gaps between monitoring, evaluation, and research and to give them a common purpose through locally owned, actionable learning, we developed an integrated Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) framework. Implemented and refined in over 20 countries, the framework integrates data-gathering methodologies with collaborative techniques for translating evidence into knowledge that influences program practice and government policy. In this publication, we describe the MERLA framework and present two case studies demonstrating how its application enables learning and adaptation led by in-country teams
Adaptation (eye · Bridge (graph theory · Business · Data collection · Government (linguistics · Knowledge management · Management science · Monitoring and evaluation · Political science · Process management · Program evaluation · Sociology · Computer Science · Engineering · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Health Policy Implementation Science · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Psychology
Implementation research
A systematic review of barriers to and facilitators of the use of evidence by policymakers
Null
A scoping review of mentorship of health personnel to improve the quality of health care in low and middle-income countries
Engaging Stakeholders, from Inception and Throughout the Study, is Good Research Practice to Promote use of Findings
The terrain of health policy analysis in low and middle income countries
Managing relationships in qualitative impact evaluation of international development
Participatory Assessment of Development Interventions
The Evaluation of International Development Programs
What is Essential in Developmental Evaluation? On Integrity, Fidelity, Adultery, Abstinence, Impotence, Long-Term Commitment, Integrity, and Sensitivity in Implementing Evaluation Models
Managing Tensions Between Evaluation and Research
Empty rituals? A qualitative study of users' experience of monitoring & evaluation systems in HIV interventions in western India
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |