Information and Communication Technologies for Development Evaluation

Description

Written by a team of expert practitioners at the Independent Office of Evaluation of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), this book gives an insight into the implications of new and emerging technologies in development evaluation. Growing technologies such as big data analytics, machine learning and remote sensing present new opportunities for development practitioners and development evaluators, particularly when measuring indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals. The volume provides an overview of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of evaluation, looking at the theory and practice, and discussing how the landscape may unfold. It also considers concerns about privacy, ethics and inclusion, which are crucial issues for development practitioners and evaluators working in the interests of vulnerable populations across the globe. Among the contributions are case studies of seven organizations using various technologies for data collection, analysis, dissemination and learning. This valuable insight into practice will be of interest to researchers, practitioners and policymakers in development economics, development policy and ICT. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Figures, Tables and Boxes List of Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction The Challenge of Evaluating the Sustainable Development Goals ICTs with Promise for Evaluators Privacy, Equity and Biases ICT4Eval – The Publication 1 Evaluation and the Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities and Constraints The Greatest Opportunity and the Greatest Challenge for the Global Evaluation Community How Do We Assess Whether Development Interventions Are Relevant, and Are Having an Impact in Decreasing Inequality and Improving the Welfare of the Worst-Off Groups? How Do We Carry Out Evaluation Given the Complexity of the SDGs? How Can We Take Advantage of New Technologies to Address New Challenges? How Can We Strengthen the Capacities of Governments, Civil Society Organizations, and Parliamentarians to Evaluate Whether Interventions Are Having Equitable Outcomes for Marginalized Populations? Individual and Institutional Evaluation Capacities Enabled by a Supportive Environment Fostering Demand for and Supply of Evaluation Conclusion 2 Information and Communication Technologies for Evaluation (ICT4Eval): Theory and Practice Data Collection: Faster, Cheaper, More Accurate Data Analysis: The Machine Learning Revolution Dissemination and Learning: Reaching a Global Audience ICTs in Practice – the Case for Cautious Optimism Sunk Costs vs. an Opportunity Do It Yourself vs. Outsourcing Mainstreaming ICTs into Operations Evaluation 2.0: Turning Dilemmas to Dividends? 3 Big Data Analytics and Development Evaluation: Optimism and Caution Some Themes from the Big Data Literature Demystifying Big Data Defining Big Data and NIT Big Data and Data Analytics The Data Continuum The NIT Ecology and the Linkages to Development Evaluation Where Is the Big Data Revolution Headed? Does Big Data Apply to Development Evaluation? Should Evaluators Care About It? The Great Potential for Integrating Big Data into Development Evaluation Big Data and Development Evaluation: The Need for Caution Overcoming Barriers to Big Data Use in Evaluation Future Scenarios for Development Evaluation in the Age of Big Data New Skills Required for Evaluation Offices, Evaluators and Data Scientists 4 Technology, Biases and Ethics: Exploring the Soft Sides of Information and Communication Technologies for Evaluation (ICT4Eval) Factors Affecting Information Technology Access and Use Among the Most Vulnerable Data and Technology Alone Cannot Ensure Inclusion Inclusiveness of Access and Use Affect the Representativeness of Big Data Bias in Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Protecting Data Subjects’ Rights in Tech-Enabled, Data-Led Exercises Improving Data Privacy and Protection in the Development Sector 5 Technology and Its Implications for Nations and Development Partners Structural Transition and Pathways for Economic Development Income - Who Has Technology Affected the Most? A Luddite’s Nightmare or a Passing Phenomenon? Geography - Implications for Sustainable Rural Development Dealing with Disruptions and Moving Forward Implications for Development Partners Conclusions The Story This Far Key Takeaways Looking Ahead Index