Ethics and Development Evaluation: Introduction

Abstract

Although the instrumental value of evaluating international development projects, programs, and policies long has been understood, its ethical dimension has not often been addressed. Yet on examination it is apparent that failure to carry out sound evaluation runs the risks of continuing to implement faulty development activities and underinvesting in more successful approaches. Such ‘‘mistakes’’ bring with them huge opportunity costs for developing countries, waste of resources for donor country taxpayers, and most important, poorer life outcomes for those who should be the beneficiaries of development efforts. Data from a number of sources confirm that development evaluation often is underresourced, raising the specter of these negative consequences.