Article type
Abstract
Background: Traditional evaluation methods, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, often fall short of capturing the full impact of local interventions. This study challenges the status quo by integrating the “theory of change” with “stories of change.” It focuses on health systems and supply chain projects in donor-funded programs between 2008 and 2021, aiming to revolutionize evaluation methodologies in these settings.
Objectives: The primary objective is to evaluate whether a combined approach of theory and narrative can provide a more intricate and holistic understanding of program impacts, surpassing the capabilities of traditional evaluation methods. The study aims to address the gap in assessing the effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability of these interventions.
Methods: This study employs a mixed-methods design, blending qualitative and quantitative research approaches. It analyzes two distinct health systems and supply chain projects, exploring their unique characteristics and operational dynamics. Data collection includes interviews, surveys, and field observations, alongside a systematic review of existing project data. This comprehensive methodology seeks to synthesize empirical evidence with narrative insights, capturing a wide array of experiences and outcomes.
Results: The integration of theoretical frameworks with narrative approaches yielded a more profound understanding of the interventions' impacts. Key findings include insights into behavioral changes, community engagement, and systemic shifts, areas often neglected by conventional evaluation methods. The results demonstrate the potential of this innovative approach to significantly enhance evaluation frameworks for development interventions, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing evidence for policy and practice.
Conclusions: This study represents a significant leap forward in development evaluation methodologies. By combining theoretical and narrative elements, the methodology transcends traditional limitations, embracing the real-life experiences of individuals and communities. It shows promise as a robust, universally applicable tool for evaluating a wide range of development interventions, potentially increasing their effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability. This approach advocates for a more inclusive, evidence-based model in policy and practice, bridging the gap between global evidence and local realities, and sets a new benchmark for future research and practice in development evaluation.
Objectives: The primary objective is to evaluate whether a combined approach of theory and narrative can provide a more intricate and holistic understanding of program impacts, surpassing the capabilities of traditional evaluation methods. The study aims to address the gap in assessing the effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability of these interventions.
Methods: This study employs a mixed-methods design, blending qualitative and quantitative research approaches. It analyzes two distinct health systems and supply chain projects, exploring their unique characteristics and operational dynamics. Data collection includes interviews, surveys, and field observations, alongside a systematic review of existing project data. This comprehensive methodology seeks to synthesize empirical evidence with narrative insights, capturing a wide array of experiences and outcomes.
Results: The integration of theoretical frameworks with narrative approaches yielded a more profound understanding of the interventions' impacts. Key findings include insights into behavioral changes, community engagement, and systemic shifts, areas often neglected by conventional evaluation methods. The results demonstrate the potential of this innovative approach to significantly enhance evaluation frameworks for development interventions, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing evidence for policy and practice.
Conclusions: This study represents a significant leap forward in development evaluation methodologies. By combining theoretical and narrative elements, the methodology transcends traditional limitations, embracing the real-life experiences of individuals and communities. It shows promise as a robust, universally applicable tool for evaluating a wide range of development interventions, potentially increasing their effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability. This approach advocates for a more inclusive, evidence-based model in policy and practice, bridging the gap between global evidence and local realities, and sets a new benchmark for future research and practice in development evaluation.