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African theories of change: lost in translation?

Sulley Gariba and Thomas de Hoop

The word ‘evaluation’ has several different meanings in African languages. In the Yoruba language, evaluation is often associated with ‘ayewo’ which means ‘investigation’. The meaning ties in with the cultural concept of evaluation. Many African societies have ‘evaluation’ rooted in their traditions in that they undertake all  kinds of ‘investigations’ before they embark on a major project – farming, marriage, travel, assessment of causes and sources of illness.

How important then are ‘traditional’ cultural concepts to ‘modern’ thinking on evaluation? “Very important” was the predominant feeling at the recent African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) conference in Accra, Ghana. There was a strong call for using African evaluation methods and African-based theories of change.

But what does ‘Africa-based theory of change’ really mean? The theory-based approach to impact evaluation is one that maps out the causal chain of a development intervention, from inputs to outcomes to impacts. It tests the underlying assumptions to answer the crucial question of ‘why’ a development programme should have an impact. An important aspect in a theory-based approach is a deep understanding of the context (White,  2009). What this means from the African perspective, is that each theory of change needs to be adapted to the specific local context.

Participants at the AfrEA conference explored how African-based theories of change differ from western concepts. The answer lies in the understanding of the context. The ‘investigations’ conducted in many African societies are much like ‘ex-ante’ evaluative processes. They are based on traditional knowledge, societal norms, history, cosmology, and the long-term aspirations of people.  The evaluators/investigators are elders and priests who are the custodians of traditional knowledge. Their analysis is usually based on animated group discussions about the quality of life to which people aspire.



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Our colleagues at the Overseas Development Institute have written a thought-provoking briefing paper on systematic reviews which offers some insights into the value of this form of analysis, but also finds fault with the approach.  In response, 3ie’s systematic review team suggests that just because something is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. Both pieces address steps the evaluation community should take to improve the ease and value of doing systematic reviews, including a registry of impact evaluations so that relevant studies are not excluded because of a lack of access to some academic databases.

AWARDS/CALLS:  3ie is offering 5 bursaries  for residents from low and middle income countries attending the NONIE 2012 meeting in Rome. Read more.

3ie
is offering 6 bursaries for residents from low and middle income countires attending the Campbell Collaboration Colloquium in Copenhagen from May 29-31, 2012 (Deadline: Feb 15).

3ie received 54 applications under the Social Protection Thematic window which closed on January 29. Read more.


The Sambodhi Research Management Institute launch second call for papers for journal ‘South Asian Journal of Evaluation in Practice’.

The NWO-WOTRO launch a second call for proposals on 'Joint MFS II evaluations at country level : Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Uganda.' (Deadline: February 21)

The 2011 Global Development Awards and Medals competition is now accepting submissions and the themes this year are related to urbanization and development (Deadline extended: February 13).

JOBS:  3ie seeks a senior researcher to write a white paper on the Commitment to Evaluation Indicator. Read FAQ

3ie looking for a Post-doctoral Fellow for its Impact Evaluation Replication Program.

The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Presidency of South Africa is looking for Evaluators and a Director - Evaluation and Research (Deadline for Director position: February 17 till 16:30 hrs. SAST).

NORAD is looking for a Senior Evaluation Officer.

EVENTS:  3ie-LIDC Seminar Series 'Microfinance: A Comprehensive Evaluation by David Roodman' on February 22nd. Read more

Network of Networks on Impact Evaluation 2012
meeting is from 19-20 April 2012 in Rome, Italy. Download Call for Abstracts  and Sponsorship Application.

MEASURE Evaluation's
regional workshop on Impact Evaluation of Population, Health and Nutrition Programs from May 21-June 1 in Pretoria (Deadline: March 18)

Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Colloquium of the Campbell Collaboration on May 29-31 2012 in Copenhagen (Deadline for poster submissions: February 15).

TRAINING: Collaboration for Environmental Evidence is offering training on introduction to systematic reviews in environmental management on  February 21 in Derbyshire, UK.

INTERESTING READ:  World Bank's new Evidence to Policy Note Do school feeding programs help children?

High-quality impact evaluations measure the net change in outcomes that can be attributed to a specific program. Impact studies help inform policy as to what works, what does not, and why.
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