Learning from development activities is both a management necessity and an important policy
tool. Effective evaluation of development programs is made difficult, however, by a complex mix
of enternal and external constraints. Moreover, much evaluation is too complex in design and in
execution to serve the needs of decision makers for timely, relevant, and accurate information.
This article explores the use of qualitative evaluation methods as a means to overcome these
concerns. A case study demonstrating a disciplined application of qualitative analysts to
monrtoring and evaluation in Thailand is presented.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Agency for International Development (1979 ) Manager's Guide to Data Collection. Washington, DC: AID/PPC/CDIE/E.
2.
Barker, D. (1978) "Appropriate methodology: an example using a traditional African board game to measure farmers' attitudes and environmental images." Background paper for the workshop on Rapid Rural Appraisal. Brighton: Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex.
3.
Chambers, R. (1979) "Rural development tourism: poverty unperceived ." (mimeo).
4.
Chambers, R. (1981) "Rapid rural appraisal: rationale and repertoire ." Public Administration and Development1: 95-106.
5.
Fortmann, L. (1982) "Taking the data back to the village." Rural Development Participation Review (Winter. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.
6.
Freeman, H.E., P.H. Rossi, and S.R. Wright (1979) Evaluating Social Projects in Developing Countries . Paris: Development Center of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
7.
Grindle, M. (1980) Politics and Policy Implementation in the Third World. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
8.
Hirschman, A.O. (1967) Development Projects Observed. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
9.
Honadle, G.H. (1979) "Rapid reconnaissance approaches to organizational analysis for development administration," IRD Working Paper No. 1. Washington, DC: Development Alternatives, Inc.
10.
Johnston, B.F. (1988) "Lessons from MADIA relevant to the ADB's role in promoting African agriculture." (mimeo)
11.
Krug, R.E., P.A. Schwarz, and S. Bhakdi (1970), "Measuring village commitment to development," in H. Lasswell, D. Lerner, and J. D. Montgomery (eds.) Values and Development : Appraising Asian Experience. Cambridge: MIT Press.
12.
Pillsbury, B.L.K. (1984) "Evaluation and monitoring," in W. Partridge (ed.) Training Manual in Development Anthropology (Publication No. 17, pp. 42-63). Washington, DC : American Anthropological Association.
13.
Provincial Government of Mahasarakham Thailand ( 1986) The Sarakham Development Project. Sarakham, Thailand: Author.
14.
Spitzer, N. (1988) "Cycles." Atlantic Magazine (February).
15.
Van Sant, J. (1981) "Local needs and the planning process for rural service delivery." Prepared for the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute.
