Using Strong Evaluation Designs in Developing Countries: Experience and Challenges

Abstract

In his article in the November 2006 JMDE, Thomas Cook reviewed the current debate on the role of randomized control trials (RCT). While his article focused on educational research, the issues raised, and the responses by Michael Scriven (2006) and Jane Davidson (2006), highlighted the broader issues currently being debated on the need for more ‘rigorous’ program evaluation in all sectors. The purpose of this article is to extend the discussion to the field of international development evaluation, reviewing the different approaches which can be adopted to rigorous evaluation methodology and their applicability in a development setting.

Keywords

• impact evaluation
• randomized controlled trials
• RCTs
• developing countries
• evaluation designs
• international development