Program Evaluation Methodology: The Degrees of Evidence Framework

The lack of credible information on program effectiveness severely limits the ability of USAID and other development organizations to practice evidence-based development programming. Owing to a variety of factors, USAID finds it difficult to craft an evaluation strategy that meets its diverse information needs with appropriate levels of transparency and credibility. One important factor contributing to this outcome is the confusion and controversy surrounding evaluation methodologies, their purposes, relative credibility, and appropriateness to answer various questions.

The Degrees of Evidence framework for monitoring and evaluation developed by the PSD-IAI offers a comprehensive and practical framework that clears up the confusion surrounding evaluation methodologies and that allows program planners to assess their methodological options according to their purpose, rigor, and cost and thereby match M&E methodologies to the questions asked, the level of credibility sought, and the level of resources available.