Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation: With a Foreword by Michael Bamberger

This book discusses the crucial place that assumptions hold in conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating development programs. It suggests simple ways for stakeholders and evaluators to 1) examine their assumptions about program theory and environmental conditions and 2) develop and carry out effective program monitoring and evaluation in light of those assumptions. A survey of evaluators from an international development agency reviewed the state of practice on assumptions-aware evaluation. This 2^nd edition has been updated with further illustrations, case studies, and frameworks that have been researched and tested in the years since the first edition.

"How does one think evaluatively? It all begins with assumptions. Systematically articulating, examining, and testing assumptions is the foundation of evaluative thinking…  This book, more than any other, explains how to build a strong foundation for effective interventions and useful evaluation by rigorously working with assumptions." 
—Michael Quinn Patton, PhD. Author of Utilization-Focused Evaluation and co-editor of THOUGHTWORK: Thinking, Action, and the Fate of the World, USA.

"This updated edition presents us with a new opportunity to delve into both the theoretical and practical aspects of paradigmatic, prescriptive, and causal assumptions. We need to learn, and apply these insights with the deep attention they deserve."  
—Zenda Ofir, PhD. Independent Evaluator, Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy,    Berlin, Germany. Honorary Professor, School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

“This thought-provoking book explains why assumptions are an essential condition within the theories and methodologies of evaluation; and how assumptions influence the ways that evaluators approach their work…It will enrich the ways that evaluators develop their models, devise their methodologies, interpret their data, and interact with their stakeholders.”
—Jonny Morell, Ph.D., President, 4.669… Evaluation and Planning, Editor Emeritus, Evaluation and Program Planning

Apollo M. Nkwake works as International Technical Advisor on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. He previously worked as Associate Research Professor for monitoring and evaluation at The George Washington and Tulane Universities. He has worked for international agencies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Apollo holds a PhD from University of Cape Town and is designated as Credentialed Evaluator by Canadian Evaluation Society. Dr. Nkwake is a recipient of American Evaluation Association’s 2017 Marcia Guttentag Promising New Evaluator Award. He has authored three other books, several journal papers/book chapters and has guest edited two special journal volumes. He is the author of Credibility, Validity, and Assumptions in Program Evaluation Methodology (2015, Springer), and Working with Assumptions in International Development Program Evaluation (2013, Springer); His edited journal volumes include Working with assumptions: Existing and emerging approaches for improved program design, monitoring and evaluation (Evaluation and Program Planning Journal) and Catalyzing and measuring women’s leadership and empowerment in African agricultural research and development (Journal Gender, Agriculture and Food Security).