Managing relationships in qualitative impact evaluation of international development: QuIP choreography as a case study

James Copestake, Claire Allan, Wilm van Bekkum, Moges Belay, Tefera Goshu, Peter Mvula, Fiona Remnant, Erin Thomas, Zenawi Zerahun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (SciVal)
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Abstract

Who does what and when during an impact evaluation has an important influence on the credibility and usefulness of the evidence generated. We explore such choreography from technical, political and ethical perspectives by reflecting on a case study that entailed collaborative design of a qualitative impact evaluation protocol (‘the QuIP’) and its pilot use in Ethiopia and Malawi. Double blind interviewing was employed to reduce project-specific confirmation bias, followed by staged ‘unblindfolding’ as a form of triangulation. We argue that these steps can enhance credibility of evidence, and that ethical concerns associated with them can be addressed by being open with stakeholders about the process. The case study illustrates scope for better use of qualitative impact evaluation methods in complex international development contexts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169-184
Number of pages16
JournalEvaluation
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • blinding
  • confirmation bias
  • impact evaluation
  • international development practice
  • qualitative methods

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Development
  • Sociology and Political Science

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