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AN IMPACT IDENTIFICATION METHOD FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EVALUATION
Author(s) -
Dietz Thomas,
Pfund Alicia
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
review of policy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1541-1338
pISSN - 1541-132X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-1338.1988.tb00923.x
Subject(s) - identification (biology) , impact evaluation , program evaluation , diversity (politics) , latin americans , social impact assessment , impact assessment , environmental planning , resource (disambiguation) , computer science , process management , environmental resource management , management science , political science , business , engineering , geography , economics , medicine , computer network , botany , public administration , pathology , law , biology
Evaluation is essential to planning and implementing effective develop‐ ment programs. The resource limitations, multidimensionality of develop‐ ment program impacts, cultural barriers between evaluators and those impacted, and the diversity of settings in which evaluations must be con‐ ducted arc serious constraints on the use of traditional research methods to evaluate development programs. Similar constraints are faced in con‐ ducting most social impact assessments. We suggest that a method of impact identification that makes use of experts, including the people ef‐ fected by a project, can be used in development project evaluation. The method, which is based on the noniinal group technique, is described, as are some of its applications in Latin America and the Caribbean. We conclude iiy considering directions for future development and the relationship be‐ tween planning, evaluation, and impact assessment.