Impacting Social Problems : Writing and Evaluating International Development Programs [Paperback]

Robert K. Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2000

The book is both a manual for those responsible for writing, managing and evaluating social development projects and a critical review of the existing literature and the practice of the international and multilateral development organizations and the foundations and NGO's of the third sector. Starting with a discussion of the logical framework and its derivatives and of the issue of social participation, it moves on to consider the logic of impact evaluation, sampling procedures and statistical analysis in impact evaluation (relating required sample size to impact targets), the steps in writing and evaluating social projects (focusing on cost-impact analysis), and the broader context of accountability and "reinventing government," as well as the literature on learning organizations. It closes with a demonstration of why "scientific" impact analysis of social projects and programs is both possible and desirable. While the subject matter of the book is at times rather advanced, the style is clear and the reasoning easy to follow. Thus the book is appropriate both for professional evaluators and for those who need to know enough about evaluation methods to be able to write a project or develop a program that will be able to produce measurable social impacts. Translations will soon be published in Spanish and Portuguese.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Robert Walker's book is a high level contribution to the literature in the field of writing and evaluating development projects, and is certain to call the attention of professionals involved in the field of development programs and projects, whether implemented domestically or within international cooperation projects. The book was written at a quite opportune moment,when old paradigms focusing on the performance of development programs and projects as an end in themselves are being replaced by a concern with a more contextualized and synergic vision of these initiatives, within which concepts such as capacity building, impact and sustainability are gaining new vigor. The agenda for this new state of affairs is being set by a desire to perfect the institutions of democracy and the processes of decentralization, as weapons of society in the struggle for more transparent, efficient and efficacious action on the part of government and other agents of development. -- Baha'i & Marcio Correa, Technical Advisor, Agencia Brasileira

About the Author

The author is perhaps uniquely suited to write a book of this nature. He has a doctorate in education and a masters degree in the sociology of development. After working as an educational evaluator in the US, he moved to Brazil in 1974, where he has been a university professor, UNDP program officer and consultant to international and mulilateral organizations and their projects. As president of EMAD, a Brazilian NGO,he has become active in the blossoming "third sector." He teaches short courses on the subject matter of this book, in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Bahai Office for the Environment and Development (January 30, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 858746602X
• ISBN-13: 978-8587466020
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,853,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)