Qualitative cost-benefit evaluation of complex, emergent programs

Patricia Judith Rogers (), Kaye Stevens and Jonathan Boymal

Evaluation and Program Planning, 2009, vol. 32, issue 1, pages 83-90

Abstract: This paper discusses a methodology used for a qualitative cost-benefit evaluation of a complex, emergent program. Complex, emergent programs, where implementation varies considerably over time and across sites to respond to local needs and opportunities, present challenges to conventional methods for cost-benefit evaluation. Such programs are characterized by: ill-defined boundaries of what constitutes the intervention, and hence the resources used; non-standardized procedures; differing short-term outcomes across projects, even within the same long-term goals; and outcomes that are the result of multiple factors and co-production, making counter-factual approaches to attribution inadequate and the use of standardized outcome measures problematic. The paper discusses the advantages and limitations of this method and its implications for cost-benefit evaluation of complex programs.

Keywords: Economic; evaluation; Cost-benefit; analysis; Community; capacity; building; Qualitative; methods; Complexity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009

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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:epplan:v:32:y:2009:i:1:p:83-90

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