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Evaluation Across Cultures: Implication for the Ethical Conduct of Evaluations
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| Presenter(s):
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| Paul Stiles, University of South Florida, stiles@fmhi.usf.edu
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| Roger Boothroyd, University of South Florida, boothroy@fmhi.usf.edu
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| Catherine Batsche, University of South Florida, cbatsche@fmhi.usf.edu
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| Abstract:
As a result of the more global and cross-cultural nature of evaluations, ethical complexities have arisen. Ethical principles from 'western' research and evaluation typically have been adopted and applied globally and cross culturally within nations. Within this context, there is debate regarding whether a Universalist or Relativist approach to research and evaluation ethics should be adopted. The proposed paper will explore these issues further and address whether both the Universalist and Relativist approaches can be integrated in ethical principles simultaneously, and will conclude with a set of recommendations for evaluation practice that will further this debate. Discussions of these cross contextual and cross-cultural issues are critical for the evaluation profession as globalization increases and evaluators must address such complexities with greater frequency.
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Capturing the Meaning of Context for a Meaningful Evaluation
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| Presenter(s):
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| Thereza Penna-Firme, Cesgranrio Foundation, therezapf@uol.com.br
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| Vathsala Stone, University at Buffalo - State University of New York, vstone@buffalo.edu
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| Ana Carolina Letichevsky, Cesgranrio Foundation, anacarolina@cesgranrio.org.br
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| Angela Cristina Dennemann, Associação Educational e Assistencial Casa do Zezinho, angeladann@gmail.com.br
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| Abstract:
That an individual evaluee is a unique composition of attributes and needs is commonly understood. What is less obvious is that programs, too, have complex personalities of their own, like the individuals that comprise them. Programs draw their needs from their own contexts; and derive meaning from an evaluation operating in these unique contexts. What is meaningful to one program may not be so for another. Evaluation is influenced by the program's context. Reciprocally, it can influence the context, too. The challenge is to fully uncover the context and its needs so the results are meaningful to the program in its sphere of influence. Three types of evaluation contexts from the Brazilian experience will be illustrated and discussed in this paper - a highly visible social program with strong political context; a low visibility program with an unclear context; and a program context with two simultaneously active components.
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Negotiating Context-Appropriate Evaluation Methodology, Methods and Tools Between Western Donors and African Evaluators
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| Presenter(s):
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| Jerushah Rangasami, Impact Consulting, jerushah@impactconsulting.co.za
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| Anthony Gird, Impact Consulting, antgird@telkomsa.net
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| Abstract:
The significance of the evaluation context in Africa, and more specifically South Africa, is often highlighted through interaction with donors from developed/Western countries. Donor agencies often have specific, well-grounded research design and methodological expectations based on their European or American experience. Yet in the developing context of South Africa, these specific approaches may not be feasible. In local townships and rural areas issues such as low English proficiency, low literacy levels, poor facilities and lack of infrastructure would render many traditional, well-intentioned scientific approaches deficient. This paper uses specific examples, based on experience in South Africa, to demonstrate the importance of considering local contexts before attempting unrealistic design and methodological approaches. It also stresses the need for compromise from all stakeholders involved in the research design, with a view to producing high quality evaluation research within the constraints of the context.
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Translating General Essential Monitoring and Evaluation Competencies and Challenges to an International Context
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| Presenter(s):
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| Donna Podems, ICF Macro, donna.r.podems@macrointernational.com
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| Abstract:
This article provides research findings that are part of a much larger evaluation research study that examined nonprofit and donor's monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes and the related evaluator's role(s) in the developing world. While various evaluation research studies identify potential key competencies, general issues for evaluators working in the United States and Western context, this research explores the interplay between this general knowledge to the specific nonprofit's donor-driven monitoring and evaluation environment in a developing country. While the research is limited to the donor-dependent NPO in a developing country, the findings could apply to other international or domestic settings.
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