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Session Title: A Qualitative and Quantitative Approach to Impact Evaluations of International Development Interventions: The Case of Heifer International in 20 Countries, 2005-2009
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Panel Session 218 to be held in Sebastian Section L1 on Thursday, Nov 12, 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM
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Sponsored by the International and Cross-cultural Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Michael Bamberger, Independent Consultant, michaelbamberger@gmail.com
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| Abstract:
Heifer International has reached millions of families in 125 countries providing training and livestock to help people improve their livelihood. Heifer funds individual projects through local organizations in reaching resource-poor families. Since 2005, the Western Michigan University Evaluation Center has conducted impact evaluations of Heifer operations in 20 countries. The Center developed the Heifer Impact Model for evaluating three levels of impact (family/community, beyond the community and individual/group values) based on six value groups: meeting basic needs; livestock care and management; environmental care and management; education for a just/sustainable world; empowerment of family and community; and systems and policy improvements. A qualitative and quantitative approach has been used to assess 96 variables in each project. This session will present the model, lessons learned from its application in the past five years, and a reflection about its relevance to the field of international development as an alternative to experimental designs.
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The Heifer Impact Evaluation Model
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| Michael Scriven, Claremont Graduate University, mjscriv@gmail.com
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Dr. Michael Scriven is a professor of evaluation at the Department of Psychology, Claremont Graduate University and a senior researcher at the Evaluation Center. He is the principal investigator for the Heifer impact evaluation since 2005. He will focus his presentation on explaining the design used, which he developed for this project and termed the Heifer Hoofprint Model. He will address the usual concerns about designs that do not involve randomized control groups, pointing out: (i) how specific steps were taken to handle these concerns in this design; (ii) how relevant values other than those identified as Heifer values are brought in; and (iii) how the search for unintended and/or undesirable side-effects takes place.
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Challenges to Manage Impact Evaluations in Twenty Countries
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| Thomaz Chianca, COMEA Evaluation Ltd, thomaz.chianca@gmail.com
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Dr. Thomaz Chianca has 13 years of experience in the field of evaluation, mostly on international and social development. He is the managing partner for COMEA Evaluation Ltda. (evaluation consulting business based in Brazil). He has been the project manager for the Heifer impact evaluations since 2005. The main focus for his presentation will be on the logistics involved, and some difficulties that arose in the course of five years of arranging and supporting team visits to 20 countries.
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Strategies and Challenges for Coordinating Impact Evaluations Within a Large International Non-governmental Organization
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| Rienzzie Kern, Heifer International, rienzzie.kern@heifer.org
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Mr. Rienzzie Kern is the Senior Director of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation at Heifer International. Mr. Kern brings 25 years of working knowledge and experience in the field of international development of which 15 years has been in the field of evaluation. His presentation will focus on how he managed the task of developing and justifying both fiscal support for this very large recurrent budget item, and country/regional/ headquarters support for twenty teams' data-gathering efforts, and--equally important--local and central support for implementing improvements and continued efforts suggested by the findings of the evaluators.
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