Evaluation in the Extreme (Hardback)  | Released: 26 Oct 2015

An exploration of the ways in which research, power and politics interact in violently divided societies Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in the funding of research in and on violently divided societies. But how do we know whether research makes any difference to these societies--is the impact constructive or destructive? This book is the first to systematically explore this question through a series of case studies written by those on the front lines of applied research. It offers clear and logical ways to understand the positive or negative role that research, or any other aid intervention, might have in developing societies affected by armed conflict, political unrest and/or social violence.Table of Contents: Preface Acknowledgements I: INTRODUCTION Research, Impact and Politics in Violently Divided Societies: An Evaluative Lens for Small Scale Maps Kenneth Bush and Colleen Duggan Fundamental Issues in Evaluation and Research in Violently Divided Societies: An Analysis of the Literature Philip McDermott, Zahbia Yousuf, Jacqueline Strecker and Ethel Mndez II: ACCOUNTABILITY, ETHICS AND REFLEXIVITY Introduction to Part II The Role of Accountability and Evaluation of Research on/in Violently Divided Societies Brendan S. Whitty The Ethics of Evaluating Research: Views from the Field Janaka Jayawickrama and Jacqueline Strecker III: EVALUATION, EVIDENCE AND POLICY Introduction to Part III Research within Evaluation: The Case of Northern Ireland Colin Knox Evaluation of the Influence of Research on Policy and Practice in a Post-conflict Society: HIV/AIDS Research in South Africa Kevin Kelly IV: ROLES AND PERSPECTIVES Introduction to Part IV Evaluation and Vulnerable Groups: Forgotten Spaces Sonal Zaveri Interpreting and Evaluating a Non-profit Organisation in a Divided Society: A Funders Perspective John A Healy and John R Healy V: CONCLUDING THOUGHTS Introduction to Part V Building the field of Evaluation in Violently Divided Societies Katherine Hay Lessons for Researchers and Evaluators Working in the Extreme Colleen Duggan and Kenneth Bush Bibliography Index