Ex-ante impact evaluation: case studies from Malawi, Bangladesh and Ghana

This document presents ex-ante impact evaluations of research for development projects related to aquaculture in Bangladesh, Malawi and Ghana. The Ghana chapter also includes an ex-ante evaluation of a fisheries project. The case studies utilized preliminary versions of guidelines developed specifically for ex-ante evaluations of aquaculture and fisheries projects. The guidelines, found in A Practical Guide for Ex-Ante Impact Evaluations in Fisheries and Aquaculture, are designed to provide an approach for a qualitative examination of the potential for a project to deliver impacts. Using a conceptual framework based on the outcome focus of results-based management, the guidelines stress careful examination of the setting, internal consistency, a sound theory of change, and an examination of stakeholders’ interests and potential partnerships. The case study reports illustrate the variability with which the guidelines may be interpreted and applied. The different teams, operating with limited time and budget that constrained the collection of new data, were forced to utilize existing secondary data and information and consult with key stakeholders to complete their analyses. The varying levels of reporting reflect the differences among the cases in the amounts of existing information and variety of stakeholders potentially involved in the projects being examined

Performance of Different Institutional Units in the Czech Republic and the Role of External Financing

The paper analyses the relationship between the financial structure of the different institutional units in the Czech Republic and their performance, by testing several theoretical hypotheses. It employs Data Envelopment Analysis to estimate separately corporate and individual farms' technical efficiency, and investigates the effect of indebtedness on efficiency in a second stage, accounting for potential endogeneity. No substantial differences were detected between individual and corporate farms. For both groups higher long-term indebtedness negatively affects farm performance (agency theory and adjustment hypothesis), while the latter is used for appraising loan applications (credit evaluation). Case studies to banks and farms confirmed these findings.corporate farms, credit, Czech Republic, individual farms, technical efficiency, Agribusiness,

Addressing the Challenges of Globalization: An Independent Evaluation of the World Bank's Approach to Global Programs

Following on a phase 1 report completed in 2002 and a meta-evaluation in 2003, this report evaluates the World Bank's involvement in global programs using 26 case studies, including Global Water Partnership and Water and Sanitation Program. Given the rapid acceleration of Bank involvement in global and regional programs at this time, the report sought to derive lessons for the design and implementation of individual global programs and for the development of a broader strategic framework involving program selectivity, governance, management, financing and evaluation. Case studies were assessed for relevance, efficacy, efficiency, and bank performance

Changing Contexts of Children and Young People’s Participation in Evaluation: Case Studies in Nepal and the UK

This thesis is an examination of how significant features of context are linked to process in children’s participation in evaluation, using case study research. The cases vary in political and cultural contexts, institutional setting, timeframe and my own positionality in the evaluations. The rights-based evaluations revisited include: DFID funded Rights through Evaluation research in Nawalparasi in Nepal; evaluation of Phase 1 of the Saying Power scheme, run by Save the Children across the UK; and evaluation of the Croydon Children’s Fund in London. In addition to issues of context and timeframe, the cases were chosen for the author’s intimate knowledge of the evaluations, and access to participants who had been involved at different levels and roles. Issues of bias are therefore specifically addressed in the revisits and a dual approach of reflexivity and critical inquiry taken. The initial reflection builds on theoretical perspectives in children’s participation and historical perspectives of rightsbased approaches, providing a personal perspective that forms the basis of the questions for the critical inquiry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with children and young people, project workers/ staff, and managers/ commissioners, all of whom previously participated in the evaluations. The critical inquiry was conducted in order to find out under what conditions participatory evaluation with children resulted in positive outcomes for children and transformational change. Critical realism, realist revisits and socio- and cultural ecological theories form the basis of a framework or model called ‘Change-scape’ that helped to explain the links between process and context in this thesis. How decision makers responded to children’s evidence depended on the context. Stratifications of context suggested in this analysis arose from realist revisits that incorporated external drivers, such as the political economy and dominant cultural practices, and internal drivers including the commitment and capacity of stakeholders in the evaluation process. Mechanisms of communication and collaboration were identified that helped to translate actions identified in the evaluations into outcomes for children and young people. Dimensions of power were also examined in terms of how they related to different aspects of the structure put forward. A final discussion reviews the progression from an emphasis on rights and individual behaviour change and action, to how context has to be taken into account to achieve more relational objectives that are incorporated in achieving improvements in children and young people’s wellbeing

Vision vs. Evaluation – Case Studies of Light Rail Planning in Denmark

Light rail transit (LRT) is a popular public transport mode used to upgrade the public transport system and support urban development strategies. Despite the seemingly poorer socio-economic return of LRT in cost benefit analyses (CBA) compared to bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, LRT solutions are often chosen over BRT. Several studies show that the decisions to build such systems have not primarily been based on the socio-economic feasibility of the systems. Rather, they are often justified in terms of the branding value and positive image for public transportation, as well as the perceived ability to reduce road congestion and stimulate urban development. Drawing on Actor Network Theory (ANT), the paper analyses how LRT systems have been applied in a Danish context and the role that the CBA has played in this process. The results show that conventional socio-economic factors in CBA, such as travel time savings, play a relatively minor role compared to the larger urban transformation visions that LRT projects are embedded in

Humanistic physical education and athletics in the secondary school

The purpose of this study was to study how three physical education situations could become more humanistic. A badminton class, a basketball class, and the girls' interscholastic basketball team were analyzed at a senior high school in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Macdonald, Wolfson, Zaret Conceptual Model (1971) was utilized for observation guide. Aspects of the program examined included: the learning environment, the teacher-student relationship, the curriculum, and the evaluation. Case studies were analyzed with regard to the tenets of humanism formulated in the review of literature. Suggestions to make the situations more humanistic were made by the author. It was concluded that a program could not become totally humanistic within the existing system. Humanistic education is dependent upon teacher-student attitudes. The individual must be concerned about humanism before an attempt to change a program could be made. However, certain techniques in teaching-learning situations can contribute to a humanistic atmosphere

Rare Perspectives and Narratives in Social Journalism's Evolving Landscape

This take a look at investigates the evolving panorama of social journalism, focusing on the intentional integration and impact of rare perspectives within virtual media platforms. Employing a qualitative studies design, the take a look at makes use of content material evaluation, case studies, and interviews to discover styles, success elements, challenges, and audience responses in the illustration of various narratives. The findings monitor a developing consciousness and planned effort through positive systems to encompass tales from marginalized groups and alternative viewpoints. Success elements include a proactive approach to searching for precise narratives, collaborative partnerships, and the strategic use of era. Challenges encompass editorial biases, algorithmic constraints, and the chronic affect of mainstream narratives. Despite challenges, successful integration definitely influences audience engagement and belief, fostering a more informed and empathetic viewership. This research contributes to ongoing discussions at the transformative ability of social journalism in shaping a diverse and inclusive media landscape