Under the current results-driven development agenda, sound evaluation, and a corresponding evaluation toolkit, need to be in place to examine whether and to what extent development interventions have achieved their targeted objectives and results, and to generate lessons for further development learning and improvement. My review of the literature shows that innovative and appropriate evaluation approaches are needed to address key challenges in evaluation such as the tension between learning and accountability objectives, the need to unpack the mechanisms linking outputs and outcomes or goal, and to add an actor perspective. Irrespective of project type, the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) is often a standard requirement of major official donor agencies on projects they fund, so as to fulfil bureaucratic imperatives. However, it is often considered inadequate in addressing key challenges in development evaluation. Given the dominant status of the LFA with such strong support from donors, it is helpful to seek a ‘middle way': a combination of the LFA with other approaches in order to address some of its inadequacies, while satisfying donor agencies' requirements. A synthesis of the LFA and Outcome Mapping (OM) is one such option. This thesis explores the practical value and usefulness of a synthesis model empirically. Applying the model in two case study aid projects, I found that it serves well as a theory-based evaluation tool with a double-stranded (actor strand and results chain) theory of change. The model helps reconcile learning and accountability and add explanatory power and an explicit actor perspective. It also helps establish causation and enable attribution claims at various results levels with its different elements. The model has some limitations but my results suggest it can be usefully adopted. The choice of its application depends on project evaluation context and purpose in specific cases.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1989. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 441-465).

Doctoral Thesis--Eskişehir İktisadî ve Ticarî İlimler Akademisi. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-248) and index.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

In recent decades, development thinking has shifted from mainstream development strategies to more alternative development approaches incorporating various aspects of development such as equity, gender, sustainability, and participation. In South Africa, a country emerging from a past of injustice, community participation has become a central theme in social development as a way of addressing past inequalities. However, despite its popularity, there are concerns that its benefits are less visible. The literature on community participation shows that there are a number of factors why community participation in development projects has not been successful in many communities. On the other hand, literature on participatory development also shows that there are benefits of participation in development projects; community participation can be successful when the community has genuine participation in the process. However, there is evidence that even where participatory development has been successful, is not necessarily easy to replicate in other areas. This study sought to evaluate participation and how this affects the sustainability and success of the Ilitha farming project. Using the qualitative and quantitative indicators of participation by Oakley et al. (1991), which were adapted from various sources, I have shown that there was a high level of participation by members of this project who started on a small-scale basis, with minimal contributions in order to address the problem of unemployment, lack of skills and income opportunities, and growing poverty in the Ilitha community. The study has shown that success in participation is linked to the success and sustainability of the Ilitha farming project. This project is a success because it has achieved its initial objectives and has potential for expansion. In addition, the expansion of project activities has increased and sustains the project income throughout the year, benefiting not only project members but other members of the Ilitha community including the old age home, the HIV Aids awareness centre and households with patients needing assistance. Project success can be sustained on a long-term basis with a high level of participation through commitment, hard work, quality leadership, consultation, team work and respect for each project member as an equal partner irrespective of differences in age, gender and length of membership in the project. The level of internal sustainability i.e. the ability for the project to maintain its own developmental momentum is evidently high. The executive has led the project from its inception in 2003 to date with a clear vision and long-term commitment. However, there is a need for a succession plan in order to ensure continuity of the project as the current executive may not be able to continue due to old age. Secondary partnerships in the Ilitha farming project have had a significant impact on the level of success and sustainability of the project through the provision of funds, training and technical assistance.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2009. / Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental and Life Sciences. Includes bibliographical references (p. 333-347)

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 133 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 88-94).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

The thesis is; a retrospective examination of two economic plans and their respective planning processes, undertaken for the same area during the same time period. The geographic setting for the thesis is northwestern British Columbia. The time period covered by the review is approximately 1980 to 1985. The thesis describes the differences which can occur between the two plans and searches for variations in the planning processes which seem to account for these differences. The economic plan produced by the British Columbia provincial government recommends a future regional economy based on large-scale, capital-intensive technology and functional integration of the region with a world economy. The planning process used was centralized and technocratic. The other plan, produced by the regional Economic Development Commission, also recommends functional integration but is oriented towards sustained community development and appropriate (i.e. small-scale, locally-controlled) technology. The plan is informed by a locally-based, participatory process. Categories for comparing the two plans and processes are drawn from regional development planning literature, planning theory literature and review of the cases themselves. Nine planning process variables are employed in the analysis. The study concludes that the critical planning process variables which affect the content of the plans are: the level of public participation in each process, the manner in which control over planning process is centralized or decentralized, and the spatial interest of key actors. The study method used, an ex post facto case study, however, can only infer causal relationships between process and plan variables; it does not provide certain knowledge of these relationships. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Energy poverty refers to a situation where physiological energy needs are not met with the resources available for cooking, lighting, and heating. Billions of people worldwide still rely on biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal, and dung to satisfy their primary energy needs. With high population growth and urbanization trends, energy poverty is especially prominent in sub-Saharan Africa, where electrification rates remain low and biomass use continues to rise. The need for solutions and strategies to increase the access to clean, efficient and sustainable energy resources has never been greater. However, projects by local governments and international development agencies have met limited success in alleviating energy poverty concerns, largely due to a lack of local involvement in the project planning, implementation, and continued operation. One method that has been advocated as a tool to increase public participation through non-traditional techniques is the use of scenarios. Scenarios have proven effective as an aid in creating policy for various sectors, and involve describing future possible events and conditions in efforts, by decision makers, to consider possibilities that cannot be captured by studying past data. While benefits of scenario use are well documented, a paucity of literature exists regarding the procedural details and effectiveness of each stage of the scenario method. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to bring together a diverse group of research and policy professionals fi-om Senegal and examine the effectiveness of the scenario process in capturing their perspectives and priorities on energy poverty in Senegal. Research methods included document research, participant observation, focus group research, semi-structured interviewing and questionnaire surveying. A two day scenario workshop was conducted in Dakar, Senegal and involved 22 research and policy professionals. The workshop revealed that political cohesiveness, social cooperation, and economic development were the three most influential forces influencing energy access. The local participants' perspectives of the issues, barriers, and possible future outcomes of energy poverty in Senegal were documented, and the results and conclusions will help fill a void in the literature on energy poverty perspectives in West Africa and Senegal. The scenario process proved to be an effective, financially efficient means to engage policy and research professionals in a participatory process. The process fostered open communication between all participants and encouraged cooperative learning.