Monitoring and Evaluation in Development

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

Standard

120 hours

None

None

Students enrolled in this subject must be enrolled in a Masters by coursework degree.

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For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

An effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system has long been recognised as an indispensable tool in the management of development projects and programmes. Efficient M&E acts as an anchor to keep the project moving in the right direction with the time and resources allocated at the project planning phase. In its early days, M&E was primarily requested and driven by donors to make development organizations accountable. M&E activities were conducted by external experts and consultants, who were largely unfamiliar with those countries where development projects and programmes were implemented. Emphasis was placed on quantitative methods that would supposedly generate 'objective' findings. This approach was, however, criticised as being too rigid, failing to obtain the right kind of information for effective management of development projects and programmes and neglecting perspectives of key stakeholders who benefited from and/or were affected by development initiative. This has led to important paradigm shifts in the last few decades including results-based and participatory approaches to M&E. The main goals of this subject are: 1. to offer students a solid understanding of M&E models and practices in the global development sector; and 2. to provide students with practical M&E skills eessential for their future work in the development sector.

On completion of this subject students should:

• comprehend essential elements of an effective M&E system for development organisations;
• be able to apply M&E skills in the management of development projects and programmes;
• be able to engage in critical assessment of development initiatives.

A 1000 word group project (10%) due during semester, a 2000 word assignment (45%) due during semester, and a 2000 word essay (45%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be provided at the start of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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