Culturally responsive evaluation: How do different regions approach it?
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The event is part of the celebrations around IEG@50 and will also announce an essay competition for Young & Emerging Evaluators (YEE).The event is part of the celebrations around IEG@50 and will also announce an essay competition for Young & Emerging Evaluators (YEE).
External Review of IEG sees ‘considerable strides’ over last 7 years
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A report by independent experts recognizes progress on learning dimension of evaluations, continued effectiveness during COVID-19, with recommendations for even greater impact.A report by independent experts recognizes progress on learning dimension of evaluations, continued effectiveness during COVID-19, with recommendations for even greater impact.
Geospatial Analysis in Evaluation
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Jos Vaessen, Maria Elena Pinglo, and Victor Vergara also contributed to this blog.
The availability of geospatial data can be vital to better understand development issues and to ensure development efforts are directed to the places where they are most needed. Geospatial data refer to any data containing information about a specific location on the Earth's surface. This encompasses a wide Show MoreJos Vaessen, Maria Elena Pinglo, and Victor Vergara also contributed to this blog.
The availability of geospatial data can be vital to better understand development issues and to ensure development efforts are directed to the places where they are most needed. Geospatial data refer to any data containing information about a specific location on the Earth's surface. This encompasses a wide variety of data types such as project activities’ coordinates, political boundaries, crop patterns, road networks, and geolocated survey indicators.
Imagery data -such as satellite imagery- have also been traditionally used for geospatial analysis. However, until recently, their use remained mostly constrained to the domain of military applications given the vast computational resources needed to store and process these data. This has drastically changed due to advances in machine learning algorithms and an increase in computational capabilities, which have made this data type more generally accessible. Satellite data are particularly relevant for geospatial analysis in that they are often publicly available at a global scale, can be used to understand a broad range of phenomena, and are available over long periods of times making them suitable for time-series analysis. Although less widespread than satellite imagery, digital photos - such as streetscape images of urban scenes - are also becoming an important data source for geospatial analysis, especially when combined with the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, which can assign meaning to features from these images.
The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) has been exploring the use of new techniques of geospatial analysis -including the use of satellite and digital images- to understand change in spatial phenomena of interest over time, and to help answer questions on relevance and effectiveness of development interventions.
Understanding change
Geospatial data can be used to describe how some spatial phenomena changed over a period of time, by creating a chronological series and quantifying the amount of change. This technique has many potential areas of application, such as understanding changes in weather phenomena or in deforestation patterns.
IEG conducted a study to evaluate an urban development project implemented in Bathore (Albania). The study aimed at ascertaining the extent of urban growth of upgraded neighborhoods. The analysis relied on the use of publicly available satellite images during the period 1999-2010. The team trained an algorithm to classify the images’ pixels across four classes of land cover: built-up environment, forest, water, and agricultural land. This supervised classification algorithm helped group the image data into the four categories and allowed the team to see the evolution of land cover classes in the area and to detect a clear increase in the built-up environment. (See Fig. 1.)
Fig. 1. Land Use/Land Cover classification of the area of interest for the period 1999-2010
Understanding relevance
IEG has been piloting an approach across its Country Program Evaluations (CPEs) to help ascertain whether the Bank (and other development partners) are targeting the areas - such as regions or provinces - where there is a greater need.
The analysis relies on building a customized dataset using multiple variables with geocoded data, (such as project locations), macro variables (such as population and GDP per capita), and sector-specific variables (such as education and energy). These data are typically derived from a variety of sources, including geocoded survey data and official statistics, publicly available gridded datasets, and remote sensing data.
A key advantage of this approach is that it leverages both traditional and novel data sources, which are then combined to produce granular, subnational estimates. This is critical to move beyond national averages, which can hide, in many cases, regional disparities, for example, in terms of the level of access to basic services.
Understanding effectiveness
As geospatial data are typically available for locations beyond the specific project boundaries, it is also possible to use these data to build a spatial counterfactual, which measures what would have happened in the absence of the intervention. This methodological design is based on the identification of both a “treatment” and a “control” area (i.e., areas that benefited from the program and those that did not). It requires sufficient relevant data on outcomes and key factors affecting the outcomes, including how the factors interact among one another, before and after the implementation of the project.
IEG conducted a geospatial impact assessment on the change in urban density over time around a road improvement project in Maputo (Mozambique) as part of the Managing Urban Spatial Growth evaluation. The study used a combination of machine learning techniques and econometrics. Applying a “difference-in-differences” approach, the team assigned as “treatment area” the plots that were within a buffer distance from both sides of the road improvement project, and as “comparison” or “control” area contiguous land from the north of the treatment area that was not included in any of the project’s road improvement activities. The team used a grid cell as the unit of analysis, and data sources included project locations, satellite images, digital elevation models, road networks, and points-of-interest. The study demonstrated that the horizontal density, i.e., building outwards through new urban areas, increased over time in the project area compared to the control area. At the same time, there were no statistically significant differences between the project and control areas in terms of changes in vertical density, i.e., building upwards and filling open spaces between existing buildings. (See Fig. 2).
Fig. 2: Horizontal and vertical growth of Maputo (Mozambique)
Conclusion
Geospatial analysis can be instrumental towards helping identify and understand the geographical impact of interventions and directing development efforts where they are most needed.
Such analyses are, however, not devoid of limitations. Geospatial data are stored in specific formats, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise to manipulate the data. Additionally, although computational capabilities have greatly increased recently, some applications—especially those based on the manipulation of large amounts of image data—remain computationally intensive and might require access to additional computing resources. Finally, it is important to note that many geospatial data are essentially proxies of more complex phenomena (e.g., poverty, environmental degradation) of interest. Therefore, geospatial analysis is not a substitute for but rather a complement to on-the-ground (qualitative) data collection and analysis, with the latter still vital for strengthening the validity of findings.
Pictured above: Social infrastructure and communication technology concept. IoT (Internet of Things). Autonomous transportation. Misato junction. Credits: metamorworks/iStockphoto
🎧 Learning from Data Innovation
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Data are vital for understanding the progress and impact of development strategies. New technologies coupled with increased computing power are creating opportunities for gathering and analyzing ever larger amounts of data from a greater range of sources. In addition, remote data collection has played an important role in getting around the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the Show More
Data are vital for understanding the progress and impact of development strategies. New technologies coupled with increased computing power are creating opportunities for gathering and analyzing ever larger amounts of data from a greater range of sources. In addition, remote data collection has played an important role in getting around the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But innovative use of technology began before the pandemic. How have new technologies influenced data gathering and use, and what are their implications for learning from evidence and for evaluating development?
Host Brenda Barbour speaks with Jos Vaessen, IEG's methods advisor.
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World Bank Support to Reducing Child Undernutrition: An Independent Evaluation
Managing Urban Spatial Growth: World Bank Support to Land Administration, Planning, and Development
Why evaluators should embrace the use of geospatial data during Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and beyond
Adapting evaluation designs in times of COVID-19 (coronavirus): four questions to guide decisions
Conducting evaluations in times of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Delphi Technique: Predicting Emerging Opportunities and Challenges in Renewable Energy
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This paper outlines the use of the Delphi forecasting method to share, aggregate, and analyze inputs from a panel of global experts on renewable energy.
This paper outlines the use of the Delphi forecasting method to share, aggregate, and analyze inputs from a panel of global experts on renewable energy.
Advanced Content Analysis: Can Artificial Intelligence Accelerate Theory-Driven Complex Program Evaluation?
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This paper presents the methodology and results used to assess the applicability and utility of artificial intelligence for advanced theory-based content analysis.
This paper presents the methodology and results used to assess the applicability and utility of artificial intelligence for advanced theory-based content analysis.
Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis to Explore Causal Links for Scaling Up Investments in Renewable Energy
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This paper illustrates how qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) was used to identify causal pathways for scaling up renewable energy to meet sustainable development and climate goals.
This paper illustrates how qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) was used to identify causal pathways for scaling up renewable energy to meet sustainable development and climate goals.
Impact Evaluations and Development: NONIE Guidance on Impact Evaluation
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This document discusses questions of what impact evaluation is about, when it is appropriate, and how to do it. The Network of Networks for Impact Evaluation (NONIE) was established in 2006 to foster more and better impact evaluations by its membership.NONIE uses the definition of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), defining impacts Show MoreThis document discusses questions of what impact evaluation is about, when it is appropriate, and how to do it. The Network of Networks for Impact Evaluation (NONIE) was established in 2006 to foster more and better impact evaluations by its membership.NONIE uses the definition of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), defining impacts as “[p]ositive and negative, primary and secondary long-term effects produced by a development intervention, directly or indirectly, intended or unintended” (OECD-DAC, 2002: 24). The impact evaluations that NONIE pursues are expected to reinforce and complement the broader evaluation work by NONIE members.
The Results Agenda Needs a Steer—What Could Be its New Course?
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Is it time to rethink Results Based Management in international development? We imagine a system that favors learning over compliance.Is it time to rethink Results Based Management in international development? We imagine a system that favors learning over compliance.
Why evaluators should embrace the use of geospatial data during Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and beyond
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Geospatial data encompass all information that is ‘geotagged’ to an exact geographical location on earth. This information can be remotely sensed from space—i.e. satellite imagery—but can also be collected from databases, surveys, project documents, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems. The use of geospatial data on project variables has become an attractive solution to fill the void Show MoreGeospatial data encompass all information that is ‘geotagged’ to an exact geographical location on earth. This information can be remotely sensed from space—i.e. satellite imagery—but can also be collected from databases, surveys, project documents, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems. The use of geospatial data on project variables has become an attractive solution to fill the void of field missions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluators, however, were using geospatial data in evaluation even before travel was restricted. There is now an incredible opportunity for evaluators to use geospatial data more effectively and efficiently.
The last decade has seen rapid advances in all aspects of geospatial data, especially remote sensing data. First, satellite imagery has become more readily available, at lower (or zero) cost, and with higher quality. Terabytes of free and high-resolution raw data are created every single day. But more importantly, this raw satellite imagery is now rapidly processed into meaningful geospatial data by using machine learning. For example, raw images from the MODIS satellite are daily processed into geospatial data on land cover and forest fires that evaluators can use directly. Second, along with the revolution in big data, many data collection efforts—ranging from open-sourced platforms to household surveys—record the location of their observations. Similarly, more projects report on the geographical targeting of project investments. As a result, all of this geotagged information can be combined into one geospatial dataset. Finally, the analysis of geospatial data has become more efficient and user-friendly through open-source statistical programs.
Innovative geospatial data and software provide evaluators at the Independent Evaluation Group (and other evaluation functions) with unique tools to better address evaluation questions around the relevance and effectiveness of World Bank Group interventions. To assess the relevance of development interventions, evaluators can compare the spatial variation in a project variable with the spatial targeting of development interventions. For example, in a recent Country Program Evaluation for Mexico, IEG assessed whether investments to reduce poverty were directed towards areas with the highest poverty levels. Using regression analysis, and controlling for relevant exogenous variation, the analysis showed that World Bank support at the state level is positively correlated with the presence of the poorest 40% and is fairly independent of national public spending. To assess the effectiveness of development interventions, evaluators can use geospatial time-series to proxy changes in the project outcome indicators and construct a spatial counterfactual. A previous blog elaborated on how IEG exploits the spatial and temporal aspects of geospatial data in a robust impact assessment of World Bank projects in Mozambique, India, Ethiopia, and Madagascar.
Geospatial data also help overcome some of the methodological challenges to rigorously assess the sustainability of project impacts. Remote sensing data (e.g. satellite imagery) can provide unbiased and objective information on project outcomes on a granular level in every part of the globe. The availability of such data over time enables us to understand the evolution of particular variables over the entire life span of an intervention (and many years after the intervention). For example, IEG’s ongoing evaluation of Bank Group support to Municipal Solid Waste Management is using geospatial data to assess the sustainability of such support regarding the intended and unintended environmental and land use impact around supported landfill sites long after the respective projects have ended. Until recently, such analyses typically used to be beyond the scope (and feasibility) of a conventional (project) evaluation.
The use of geospatial data is, however, no silver bullet. Whether evaluations can apply geospatial data depends on the nature of the evaluand (e.g. the sector and type of intervention to be evaluated) as well as the analytical skills of the evaluators. Moreover, the objective and rigorous assessment of effectiveness using geospatial analysis is not sufficient on its own to assess why interventions are effective (or not). For example, it remains difficult to proxy political economy and human behavior aspects from available geospatial data. Ideally, any geospatial analysis requires some type of verification and triangulation ‘on the ground’. One of the most challenging constraints regarding the use of geospatial data in many multilateral and bilateral international development agencies (as well as some other organizations) is the disconnect between operations (which focuses on design and implementation) and evaluation. Independent evaluation functions are not directly involved in the intervention cycle (especially project design and implementation). Evaluators, therefore, have relatively little influence on the M&E frameworks of the interventions financed by their organization. A well-known consequence is that public and private investments often lack granular information on project implementation which complicates the use of geospatial data in evaluation afterwards.
Going forward, how can evaluation functions like IEG enhance their use of geospatial data? The first step is to focus on some of the low-hanging fruits. In the examples mentioned above, IEG has applied geospatial analysis to a particular set of interventions with a clear temporal and spatial nature. The analyses have been facilitated by the availability of numerous data portals with open access and ready-to-use geospatial data on a wide range of economic, environmental, and agroecological indicators. In some cases, evaluations have benefited from collaborative efforts with research colleagues. These examples have not only generated interesting and useful findings, they also provide useful lessons on the potential feasibility and desirability for conducting geospatial analysis in the framework of an evaluation. To better understand which geospatial data are useful and for which purposes, piloting new methods in the framework of different evaluation modalities should be encouraged. Investments in staff capacity development, hiring external experts, computing capacity and specialized software should be weighed against the results of these pilots.
The next step constitutes an organizational dialogue on the integration of geospatial data (collection and analysis) in the design and implementation of interventions. Evaluators can help make a stronger case for informed investments in geospatial data collection and analysis, leveraging the support from like-minded champions in research and operations departments. For example, the World Bank has launched two mobile applications (the Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring and Supervision, GEMS, and the Smart Supervision App, SSA) that precisely register project locations and collect information that feeds into remote and real-time M&E systems. The GEMS initiative and the Geospatial Operations Support Team (GOST) also provide trainings and advice to build the capacity of clients and World Bank staff for remote project monitoring and supervision. This fits in the World Bank’s broader strategy to support client countries in developing the infrastructure, legal framework, and human capacity needed for the management and utilization of geospatial data. After the necessary ‘proof of concept’ experiences, a concerted organizational effort is needed to unleash the potential of geospatial data for better intervention design, implementation, and M&E.