Evidence-based evaluations have appeared later in international development cooperation than in areas such as medicine, social work, and education. The lack of impact evaluations has been increasingly recognised.i Many researchers and evaluators, and indeed administrators, managers and politicians, call for and look for evidence of results of development spending. But a brief review of evaluation practice suggests that such evidence is not forthcoming, despite the significant amounts of money spent on evaluation. This article sets out to explore why, and discuss how to improve the situation.
