Research, Evidence and Learning
Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)
Baselines, evaluations, results frameworks, theory of change work, data quality assessments and the learning products that close the loop.
When clients come to us
- A programme is starting and needs a baseline and a measurement framework it can actually run.
- A midline or endline evaluation is contractually due.
- Indicators were written for a proposal and nobody can collect them as defined.
- Reported monitoring data is not trusted internally and needs an independent quality assessment.
- A programme is closing and the lessons need to be captured before the team disperses.
What the work covers
- Baseline, midline and endline studies
- Programme and project evaluations: process, performance, outcome and impact
- Monitoring frameworks, results frameworks, logical frameworks and indicator matrices
- Theory of Change development
- Indicator development and Indicator Reference Sheets
- Data Quality Assessments (DQAs)
- Outcome harvesting and learning reviews
- Beneficiary feedback systems
- Evaluation reporting and learning workshops
What you receive
- An inception report setting out evaluation questions, methods and the evidence matrix
- A results framework or logframe with indicators that can be collected as written
- Indicator Reference Sheets defining each measure, its source and its collection frequency
- Baseline, midline or endline reports with a clear line from data to finding
- A learning product and a facilitated session for the people who will use it
Professional boundaries
- An evaluation is designed to answer stated evaluation questions; it does not guarantee a particular result.
- Where independence matters, evaluation work is kept separate from any design or implementation support on the same component.
Next step
Discuss your project
Send a short note of the decision you need to make, the geography, the deadline and any donor or statutory rule that applies. You will get back a scoping note rather than a generic brochure.