Mixing and Matching: Using Qualitative Methods to Improve Quantitative Impact Evaluations (IEs) and Systematic Reviews (SRs) of Development Outcomes

Mixing and Matching: Using Qualitative Methods to Improve Quantitative Impact Evaluations (IEs) and Systematic Reviews (SRs) of Development Outcomes

This paper by CEDIL includes the use of innovative techniques to form the specific evaluative questions being asked and tested, to gather the right type of data and information on outcomes and intermediating variables, to explain findings and to disseminate them to the appropriate decision-makers. This paper canvasses a purposeful sample of experts from a variety of disciplines to gather the success stories, and where apparently well-planned approaches have failed to add the value expected of them. The paper then draw lessons for future evaluations as a basis for guidance on the use of mixed methods.