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Evaluating a complex research capacity-building intervention: reflections on an evaluation of the African Institutions Initiative

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 03:59 authored by Sonja Marjanovic, Gavin Cochrane, Enora Robin, Nelson Sewankambo, Alex Ezeh, Moffat Nyirenda, Bassirou Bonfoh, Mark Rweyemamu, Joanna Chataway
Increasing policy demand for realist evaluations of research and capacity-building programmes reflects a recognition of the management, governance and impact gains that can result from evaluation. However, the evidence base on how to successfully implement realist evaluations of complex interventions in international development efforts is scarce. We know little about the associated merits, limitations and ways to mitigate challenges. There is a need for reflective work which considers the methodology in context. This paper shares learning from the experience of conducting a realist, theory-of-change driven evaluation of the African Institutions Initiative, a Wellcome Trust funded programme which aimed to build sustainable health research capacity in Africa at institutional and network levels, across seven research consortia. We reflect on the key challenges experienced throughout the evaluation and recommend ways of managing them, highlight opportunities and critical success factors associated with this evaluation approach, as well as elaborate on alternative evaluation approaches.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Evaluation

ISSN

1356-3890

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

1

Volume

23

Page range

80-101

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-11-14

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-03-30

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-11-14

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