Assessing Outcome and Impact: Towards a Comprehensive Evaluation Approach in ICT4D
Date
Authors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Type
Peer reviewed
Abstract
It is well documented that ICTs are tools for development. However, there is still a need to comprehensively demonstrate the tangible and intangible effects that ICTs have towards development. A framework for the assessment of the outcomes and impacts of ICT4D is proposed, which provides guidelines for the critical aspects of a project that should be assessed and taken into account when conducting an outcome and impact assessment of rural ICT4D. This framework is based on a comprehensive approach to evaluation and forms part of continuous research on the rural ICT comprehensive evaluation framework (RICT-CEF). From this study five key themes have been identified based on a theoretical analysis and field observations. These themes include strategic value', 'empowerment', 'livelihoods', 'most significant change' and 'sustainability'.