Evaluating Communication for Development presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating communication for development (C4D). This framework combines the latest thinking from a number of fields in new ways. It critiques dominant instrumental, accountability-based approaches to development and evaluation and offers an alternative holistic, participatory, mixed methods approach based on systems and complexity thinking and other key concepts. It maintains a focus on power, gender and other differences and social norms. The authors have designed the framework as a way to focus on achieving sustainable social change and to continually improve and develop C4D initiatives. The benefits and rigour of this approach are supported by examples and case studies from a number of action research and evaluation capacity development projects undertaken by the authors over the past fifteen years. Building on current arguments within the fields of C4D and development, the authors reinforce the case for effective communication being a central and vital component of participatory forms of development, something that needs to be appreciated by decision makers. They also consider ways of increasing the effectiveness of evaluation capacity development from grassroots to management level in the development context, an issue of growing importance to improving the quality, effectiveness and utilisation of monitoring and evaluation studies in this field. The book includes a critical review of the key approaches, methodologies and methods that are considered effective for planning evaluation, assessing the outcomes of C4D, and engaging in continuous learning. This rigorous book is of immense theoretical and practical value to students, scholars, and professionals researching or working in development, communication and media, applied anthropology, and evaluation and program planning.

This pathbreaking book provides the latest thinking on international development programs which use communication for development (C4D) to implement social change. It critiques many dominant accountability-based approaches to development and evaluation and offers an alternative holistic, participatory, mixed methods approach, using key concepts and principles that are considered more effective and appropriate for achieving long-term sustainable change. This is supported by examples and case studies from over fifteen years of research and projects undertaken by the authors.

Written by a team of expert practitioners at the Independent Office of Evaluation of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), this book gives an insight into the implications of new and emerging technologies in development evaluation. Growing technologies such as big data analytics, machine learning and remote sensing present new opportunities for development practitioners and development evaluators, particularly when measuring indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals. The volume provides an overview of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of evaluation, looking at the theory and practice, and discussing how the landscape may unfold. It also considers concerns about privacy, ethics and inclusion, which are crucial issues for development practitioners and evaluators working in the interests of vulnerable populations across the globe. Among the contributions are case studies of seven organizations using various technologies for data collection, analysis, dissemination and learning. This valuable insight into practice will be of interest to researchers, practitioners and policymakers in development economics, development policy and ICT.

How can we understand the contribution of Communication for Development programmes to change? How can we ensure we learn and adapt communication in the process? Underpinned by an appreciative enquiry approach, the book explores the research, monitoring and evaluation of C4D - the field's leading evaluation framework.

"From girl's education awareness and action, to attitudes towards viollence against children, communication for development (C4D) is a critical tool for sharing knowledge and creating social change. Evaluating how effective such communication has been in creating social change presents challenges. How can this information be gathered in a participatory way? How can we understand the contribution of C4D programmes to change? How can we ensure we learn from and adapt communication in the process? Communication for Development reflects on the challenges and opportunities of bringing a social change framework into practice. Underpinned by an Appreciative Inquiry approach, the book explores the research monitoring and evaluation of C4D through the lens of the field's leading evaluation framework. In each chapter, academic scholars partner with practitioners to draw lessons from recent collaborative action projects, which brought together researchers, UNICEF C4D and M&E teams, and selected in-country academic, NGO and government partners. As one of the largest United Nations agencies with a focus on C4D, UNICEF is seen as a leader of applied C4D research and practice. Communication for Development is essential reading for international development practitioners, students and scholars as well as programme managers, governments and donor agencies"--Back cover.

Chemistry plays a critical role in daily life, impacting areas such as medicine and health, consumer products, energy production, the ecosystem, and many other areas. Communicating about chemistry in informal environments has the potential to raise public interest and understanding of chemistry around the world. However, the chemistry community lacks a cohesive, evidence-based guide for designing effective communication activities. This report is organized into two sections. Part A: The Evidence Base for Enhanced Communication summarizes evidence from communications, informal learning, and chemistry education on effective practices to communicate with and engage publics outside of the classroom; presents a framework for the design of chemistry communication activities; and identifies key areas for future research. Part B: Communicating Chemistry: A Framework for Sharing Science is a practical guide intended for any chemists to use in the design, implementation, and evaluation of their public communication efforts.

A growing body of evidence indicates that, increasingly, the public is engaging with science in a wide range of informal environments, which can be any setting outside of school such as community-based programs, festivals, libraries, or home. Yet undergraduate and graduate schools often don't prepare scientists for public communication. This practical guide is intended for any chemist â€" that is, any professional who works in chemistry-related activities, whether research, manufacturing or policy â€" who wishes to improve their informal communications with the public. At the heart of this guide is a framework, which was presented in the report Effective Chemistry Communication in Informal Environments and is based on the best available empirical evidence from the research literature on informal learning, science communication, and chemistry education. The framework consists of five elements which can be applied broadly to any science communication event in an informal setting.