Participatory Poverty Assessment
PARTICIPATORY POVERTY ASSESSMENT
Paper written and presented as partial fulfilment of the course unit
Social evaluation of programs in the department of sociology and social
work at the university of Nairobi
PARTICIPATORY POVERTY ASSESSMENT
KEY CONCEPTS
Program evaluation
Participatory evaluation
Poverty
Program evaluation
This is the use of social science research to systematically investigate the effectiveness of social intervention aimed at improving social conditions. The main purpose of evaluating programs is to obtain information about the capabilities of social programs to address identified problems. (Rossi 1999:1)
Valuation of social programs is important because it provides data needed to aid in decisions concerning improvement and expansion of projects. It also helps to bring to light weak and strong areas of the project. Evaluation research helps to improve in effective projects activities so as to realise desirable results.
Participatory evaluation
This is a form of evaluation organised as a team project with the evaluator and representatives of stakeholder group. Participatory evaluation entails an active involvement of evaluator and program stakeholders in the planning for evaluation, carrying out of the valuation process and thereafter giving the report and recommendations established during evaluation findings, for the example the program sponsors managers, staff and the target group for the intervention.
Participatory evaluation calls for the recognition and respect of local knowledge and experiences as well as people’s ability to judge their own experiences with a reasonable measure of objectivity. This process ensures true local ownership and commitment to the exercise and its outcome, but more importantly, to the future sustainability of the project.
Poverty
Poverty is an elusive concept that almost defies a standard definition. This is because it assumes different meanings under varied conditions or
Paper written and presented as partial fulfilment of the course unit
Social evaluation of programs in the department of sociology and social
work at the university of Nairobi
PARTICIPATORY POVERTY ASSESSMENT
KEY CONCEPTS
Program evaluation
Participatory evaluation
Poverty
Program evaluation
This is the use of social science research to systematically investigate the effectiveness of social intervention aimed at improving social conditions. The main purpose of evaluating programs is to obtain information about the capabilities of social programs to address identified problems. (Rossi 1999:1)
Valuation of social programs is important because it provides data needed to aid in decisions concerning improvement and expansion of projects. It also helps to bring to light weak and strong areas of the project. Evaluation research helps to improve in effective projects activities so as to realise desirable results.
Participatory evaluation
This is a form of evaluation organised as a team project with the evaluator and representatives of stakeholder group. Participatory evaluation entails an active involvement of evaluator and program stakeholders in the planning for evaluation, carrying out of the valuation process and thereafter giving the report and recommendations established during evaluation findings, for the example the program sponsors managers, staff and the target group for the intervention.
Participatory evaluation calls for the recognition and respect of local knowledge and experiences as well as people’s ability to judge their own experiences with a reasonable measure of objectivity. This process ensures true local ownership and commitment to the exercise and its outcome, but more importantly, to the future sustainability of the project.
Poverty
Poverty is an elusive concept that almost defies a standard definition. This is because it assumes different meanings under varied conditions or
References: 1. Chambers, R. 1983. Rural Development: Putting the last first. London: Longman. 2. Francis W, 2004. Demystifying Participatory Development. Zapf Chancery Consultants and Publishers: Eldoret. 3. Jeremy. H, Blackburn. J. 1998. Whose voice: Participatory Research and Policy Change. Bath Press: Bath. 4. Mugenda, o, and Mugnda, A. 1999. Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Acts Press: Nairobi .