Towards rigorous practice

A framework for assessing naturalistic evaluations in the development sector

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12567575
AutoresTracey E Phillips (University of Cape Town), Tracey Phillips (University of Cape Town), Jacques P De Wet (University of Cape Town), Jacques De Wet (0000-0002-5581-0567, University of Cape Town, autor correspondente)
Ano2017
Volume23
Fascículo1
Páginas102-120
Data de publicação2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEvaluation (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1356-3890 • E-ISSN: 1461-7153
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1356389016682777
OpenAlexW2575551993
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas26

This article reflects on the design and application of a framework for assessing the rigour of naturalistic evaluations in the development sector. The framework was employed in a review of a naturalistic evaluation ‘model’. It focused on the quality of evaluation results generated by the application of this model to outcome and impact assessments of development programmes. Naturalistic evaluation research is frequently portrayed as lacking in rigour, so we wanted to know whether the outcomes of development interventions could be assessed with an appropriate level of rigour when a naturalistic evaluation approach is used. The assessment entailed a meta-evaluation of five outcome/impact evaluations; these were undertaken by a Cape Town-based development consultancy over a four-year period. Using Lincoln and Guba’s trustworthiness criteria as the foundation for a meta-evaluation framework, we demonstrated that hallmarks of rigorous practice could be developed and applied to evaluations that employ a naturalistic evaluation model

Credibility · Engineering ethics · Epistemology · Foundation (evidence · Management science · Naturalism · Naturalistic observation · Outcome (game theory · Political science · Program evaluation · Psychological intervention · Rigour · Trustworthiness · Applied Psychology · Community Development and Social Impact · Engineering · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Psychology · Public Policy and Administration Research · Social Psychology