Laying a Solid Foundation for the Next Generation of Evaluation Capacity Building: Findings from an Integrative Review

Am J Eval. 2023 Mar;44(1):29-49. doi: 10.1177/10982140221106991. Epub 2022 Dec 26.

Abstract

Evaluation capacity building (ECB) continues to attract the attention and interest of scholars and practitioners. Over the years, models, frameworks, strategies, and practices related to ECB have been developed and implemented. Although ECB is highly contextual, the evolution of knowledge in this area depends on learning from past efforts in a structured approach. The purpose of the present article is to integrate the ECB literature in evaluation journals. More specifically, the article aims to answer three questions: What types of articles and themes comprise the current literature on ECB? How are current practices of ECB described in the literature? And what is the current status of research on ECB? Informed by the findings of the review, the article concludes with suggestions for future ECB practice and scholarship.

Keywords: evaluation capacity; evaluation capacity building; integrative review; research on evaluation.