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The advent of the International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS), a voluntary, charitable membership based organization, is timely. A new development consensus has emerged, focused on sustained poverty reduction driven by economic growth; the removal of social and structural constraints to economic and human development; reforms that are owned by those who must carry them out; and an intent, especially in the public sector, to manage for results and measure for performance. In parallel, citizens in developing and developed countries alike, expect more efficient, more accountable and more transparent government and public sector programs and projects that have measurably greater development effectiveness than hitherto. Thus there is need to renew old and established evaluation mechanisms to help deliver results to ensure accountability and learn from mistakes.

New Directions for Evaluation (NDE) is an ongoing series of paperback source books that "..presents the latest techniques and procedures for conducting useful evaluation studies of all types of programs" (Jossey-Bass Ordering Information notes). It is one of several "New Direction" series in the applied social sciences that are "Â…designed for a multidisciplinary academic and professional audience of administrators, faculty leaders, scholars and professional practitioners who need practical yet research-based informationÂ…". NDE is one of two official publications of the American Evaluation Association.
ISSN: 1097-6736

"Evaluation and Program Planning" is based on the principle that the techniques and methods of evaluation and planning transcend the boundaries of specific fields and that relevant contributions to these areas come from people representing many different positions, intellectual traditions, and interests. In order to further the development of evaluation and planning, this journal publishes articles from the private and public sectors in a wide range of areas: organizational development and behavior, training, planning, human resource development, health and mental, social services, mental retardation, corrections, substance abuse, and education. The primary goals of the journal are to assist evaluators and planners to improve the practice of their professions, to develop their skills and to improve their knowledge base. Published four times per annum. ISSN: 0149-7189

The Research Methods Knowledge Base is a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory undergraduate or graduate course in social research methods. It covers the entire research process including: formulating research questions; sampling (probability and nonprobability); measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative, unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); data analysis; and, writing the research paper. It also addresses the major theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research including: the idea of validity in research; reliability of measures; and ethics. The Knowledge Base was designed to be different from the many typical commercially-available research methods texts. It uses an informal, conversational style to engage both the newcomer and the more experienced student of research. It is a fully hyperlinked text that can be integrated easily into an existing course structure or used as a sourcebook for the experienced researcher who simply wants to browse.

Brown Buckley Tucker is a consulting firm that takes a ‘Practical Idealism’ approach -- a belief that high ideals are not only compatible with careful and pragmatic analysis, but that technical knowledge alone is ineffective unless it is driven by passion and commitment to excellence.

ActKnowledge is a social enterprise that connects social change practice with rigorous study of how and why initiatives work. ActKnowledge joins with community organizations, nonprofits, foundations, and government in efforts to transform traditional institutions, public spaces, and the environment.
Based within a research center at a large public university (the Center for Human Environments at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York), they benefit from interactions with faculty and graduate students. Both faculty and students are often part of the work. Founded in 1999, ActKnowledge has developed a methodology for social sector planning, evaluation, and implementation tracking that is rigorous, without giving up the participation and flexibility that organizations need to work effectively (and happily).

Channel Research is an evaluation consultancy that focuses on humanitarian aid, human rights and the rule of law, corporate social responsibility, and conflict sensitivity, with a particular expertise of working in unstable or politically fragile social environments. Channel Research evaluates humanitarian and human rights programmes and projects for a broad range of clients, including multinational organisations such as the UN, World Bank and the European Commission, for governments such as those of Sweden, UK, USA, France and Denmark, and national and international nongovernmental organisations including Amnesty International‘s International Secretariat, Border Action (Northern Ireland), and Médecins Sans Frontières. In particular, we hold multiple framework contracts with the European Commission, the World Bank, DFID and Sida. Our evaluations allow organisations to assess how well resources are being used and the effects, and impact, of an intervention on the surrounding populations. Channel Research predominately works in conflict or crisis prone environments, or in areas following natural disasters. We are at the cutting edge of ensuring conflict sensitivity in evaluations, making use of the conflict mapping tools that we have developed. We enable organisations to meet the increasing demands for accountability and knowledge management and development.

The UNESCO Evaluation Section (EVS) is charged with providing assurance that programmes are relevant and sustainable, delivered effectively and efficiently, and achieve impacts.
Its work is guided by the C/5 Evaluation Plan which lists evaluations to be carried out in the biennium.
The vision is that evaluation enables UNESCO to meet its mandate.
(At the main page, you can switch between the different languages used at the web presence.)
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La UNESCO section d'évaluation (EVS) est chargée de fournir l'assurance que les programmes sont appropriés et soutenables, livré effectivement et efficacement, et réalisent des impacts.
Son travail est guidé par le plan dévaluation C/5 qui énumère les évaluations à effectuer dans l'exercice biennal.
La vision est que l'évaluation permet à l'UNESCO de réaliser son mandat.
(Sur le site principal on peut choisir entre différentes langues.)

Country-led evaluation (CLE) is a relatively new concept, and one that reflects the world’s growing recognition of the importance of a nation’s self-determination in its own development.
The field of evaluation is being reshaped by the evolving context of international aid, and particularly by the emerging recognition that effective development assistance requires that donor agencies “respect partner country leadership and help strengthen their capacity to exercise it.”
Conventional forms of evaluation, typically mandated and funded by development agencies, are now being challenged by emerging independent forms of assessment that put the recipient country in the driver’s seat. The rationale for CLE is clear, but the question now is how to do it. What are the obstacles to country-led evaluation? What needs to be done to support it?
Thus, the purpose of this group is to discuss, explore and exchange ideas with respect of CLE.

The Center of Evaluation for Global Action (CEGA) is a multi-disciplinary research center at the University of California, Berkeley advancing global health and development through impact evaluation and economic analysis. The Center is premised on the principle that knowledge gained from randomized trials - and other rigorous forms of evaluation - is a valuable public good that can improve policy and outcomes around the world.