Call for contributions: Rapid Evaluation

Rapid evaluation (RE) is an intensive, team-based, program-focused investigation that uses multiple methods of data collection, has an iterative process for collection and analysis, and relies on community participation to quickly develop a holistic understanding of a program from both an insider’s and an outsider’s perspective.   
It is iterative in the sense that analysis of data is done while data collection is ongoing. Preliminary findings are used to guide decisions about additional data collection. This cycle is repeated until new data cease to provide new information of significance to the evaluation questions. This iteration and the application of multiple lines of evidence derived from multiple data sources ensures the validity of findings. Rapid evaluation is more suited for ongoing programs which need quick data to make urgent decisions to adjust implementation strategies.
This evaluation type is different from other rapid qualitative approaches because they are specifically designed to assess the impact or document the implementation of specific interventions, services, or programs. It offers a tremendous opportunity to conduct timely and impactful research in time-sensitive settings.  

Different rapid evaluation methods are appropriate for different circumstances. The most used are quality improvement and performance measurement methods that are appropriate for process improvement projects. There are numerous rapid methods for evaluating programs, systems, organizational change, and complex initiatives. Each approach was developed to address particular problems or improve certain kinds of practices.   It addresses the need to quickly assess policy/program/strategy/function delivery, and establish the main performance data, with main recommendations for improvements, while at the same time reducing the costs and time of evaluating development projects.

This edition of Evaluation Matters will lay emphasis on the experiences with rapid evaluation and its methodologies, with particular reference to real-life situations i.e., how it was applied in evaluating an intervention, such as those that target development sectors such as agriculture and food security, climate change, green growth, transport, urban development, infrastructures, health, rural development, banking and finance, renewable energy, etc. Findings conclusions, lessons, and recommendations issued from these practical and contextual experiences shall enrich our understanding of rapid evaluation and inform on desirable practices that could be adopted and adapted in other contexts.  

Some guiding questions are:

1. What necessitated the use of rapid evaluation methodology for the development intervention you evaluated?
2. Did the evaluation findings meet the intended objective of leveraging this type of evaluation?
3. What are some of the advantages and/or challenges associated with the use of rapid evaluation methodology?
4. Based on your experience, what recommendation(s) and or good practices could you suggest maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of this evaluation methodology?
5. What circumstances/contexts are more suitable for the use of rapid evaluation methodology?

Your contribution should respond to at least one if not all questions.
Previous issues of Evaluation Matters can be found at: https://idev.afdb.org/en/page/evaluation-matters-magazine

Please confirm that you will be contributing with a paragraph short summary of what you intent to contribute by 21 July 2023.

Please submit your full contribution by 31 July 2023

Please send your confirmations and submissions to [email protected].