Meta-Evaluation of Foreign Assistance Evaluations

摘要

Based on an analysis of the reports of 56 evaluations of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) projects issued in 2009, this study examines some of the concerns raised about the analytical and methodological quality of evaluations of foreign assistance projects and programs. The study makes a set of recommendations for improving both the rigor and usefulness of USAID and State evaluations. The reader is encouraged to read the main text, which includes quantitative data in tables and charts and narrative examples in boxes. The focus of the study is solely on USAID evaluations. Although the Department of State has taken steps to promote evaluations, including the recent issuance of an evaluation policy, its share in the total number of evaluations conducted by the two agencies is negligible.