Caroline Pade-Khene
ABSTRACT
The evaluation of rural ICT for development projects is indispensable as it determines the need, effectiveness, impact, sustainability and extent of the awareness of the contribution such projects or programmes can make in poverty alleviation and development. Evaluation in this case, needs to be comprehensive to capture relevant impact and effectiveness throughout the life of these projects in marginalised communities. This paper presents a high level description of the Rural ICT Comprehensive Evaluation Framework (RICT-CEF). The RICT-CEF is comprised of 1) An Overall Evaluation Plan, 2) An Evaluation Lifecycle consisting of seven domains of evaluation, and 3) An Iterative Design. These all encompass the key components essential for a comprehensive evaluation of rural ICT projects in developing countries.
- Babbie, E & Mouton, J. 2001. The Practice of Social Research, Oxford University Press, Cape Town.Google Scholar
- Batchelor, S. & Norrish, P. 2006. Framework for the Assessment of ICT Pilot Projects, InfoDev, Washington DC.Google Scholar
- Buré, C. 2007. Grounding Gender Evaluation Methodology for Telecentres: The Experiences of Ecuador and the Phillipines. Ottawa: Telecentre.Org.Google Scholar
- Dymoke-Bradshaw, C. & Cox, B. 2003. "Developing Organisation-technology Fit: The Role of Evaluation in IS Innovation Projects", Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 2, 1.Google Scholar
- Fitzerald, G. 1998. "Evaluating Information Systems Projects: A Multidimensional Approach", Journal of Information Technology, 13, 15--27Google ScholarCross Ref
- Gigler, B. 2004. "Including the Excluded -- Can ICTs Empower Poor Communities? Towards an Alternative Evaluation Framework Based on the Capability Approach", 4th International Conference on the Capability Approach. Pavia, Italy, September.Google Scholar
- Gomez, R. & Hunt, P. 1999. Telecentre Evaluation: A Global Perspective. Ottawa: IDRC.Google Scholar
- Harris, R. W. 2001. "Using Stories for Evaluating Community Based Information Communication Technologies in Developing Countries", Part of the report of the PANAsia Telecentre Learning & Evaluation Group (PANTLEG). http://rogharris.org/Using_Stories.pdf.Google Scholar
- Hedman, J. & Borell, A. 2005. "Broadening Information Systems Evaluation through Narratives", Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 8, 2, 115--122.Google Scholar
- Heeks, R. & Molla, A. 2008. "Compendium on Impact Assessment of ICT-for-Development Projects", Working Paper Series, No. 36, Institute for Development Policy and Management, Manchester.Google Scholar
- Hudson, H. E 2001. Developing Evaluation and Learning Systems for African Telecentres. in: Latchem, C. and Walker, D. (eds). Telecentres: Case Studies and Key Issues, The Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver.Google Scholar
- Madon, S. 2004. Evaluating the Developmental Impact of E-governance Initiatives: An Exploratory Framework. The Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries. 20, 5: 1--13.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Moodley, S. 2005. "The Promise of E-Development? A Critical Assessment of the State of ICT for Poverty Reduction Discourse in South Africa". Perspectives on Global Development. 4, 1.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Musa, P. F. 2006. Making a Case for Modifying the Technology Acceptance Model to Account for Limited Accessibility in Developing Countries. Information Technology for Development. 12, 3, 213--224.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Pade, C. & Sewry, D. 2009. The Practice and Need for Rural ICT for Development Evaluation: An Experience of the Siyakhula Living Lab Baseline Study. 3rd International Development Informatics Association (IDIA) Conference. Kruger National Park, South Africa, October.Google Scholar
- Pade-Khene, C. & Sewry, D. 2011. "Towards a Comprehensive Evaluation Framework for ICT for Development Evaluation - An Analysis of Evaluation Frameworks". 2
nd
International Conference on Information Management and Evaluation. Toronto, Canada, April.Google Scholar
- Pade, C., Mallinson, B. & Sewry, D. 2008. "Project Management Practice for Rural ICT Project Sustainability in Developing Countries", Paper read at 2
nd
European Conference on Information Management and Evaluation (ECIME), University of London, UK, September.Google Scholar
- Rossi, P. H., Lipsey M. W. & Freeman, H. E. 2004. Evaluation: A Systematic Approach (7e), Sage Publications, London.Google Scholar
- Scharffenberger, G. 1999. Telecentre Evaluation Methods and Instruments: What Works and Why? In Gomez, R. and Hunt, P. (eds). Telecentre Evaluation: A Global Perspective. Ottawa: IDRC.Google Scholar
- Schwalbe, K. 2006. Information Technology Project Management (4e), Thomson Course Technology, Boston.Google Scholar
- Wagner, D. A., Day, B., James, T., Kozma, R. B., Miller, J. & Unwin, T. 2005. Monitoring and Evaluation of ICT in Education Projects: A Handbook for Developing Countries, Washington DC: The World Bank.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- Proposed stages of a rural ICT comprehensive evaluation framework in ICT for rural development projects
Recommendations
An exploration of the categories associated with ICT project sustainability in rural areas of developing countries: a case study of the Dwesa project
SAICSIT '06: Proceedings of the 2006 annual research conference of the South African institute of computer scientists and information technologists on IT research in developing countriesInformation Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a significant role in enhancing rural development in developing countries. However, rural ICT projects are confronted with challenges that result in projects that are not sustainable, or fail altogether. ...
Sustainability of the Rural ICT Project: a Case Study of aAQUA e-Agriservice, Maharashtra, India
ICEGOV '17: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic GovernanceInformation and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are continuously emerging as key tools to support development activities undertaken by Governments, civil society and private enterprises. It has been showing significant result in addressing information ...
An assessment of ICT challenges in rural areas: ICT experts vs rural users views: a case of the Siyakhula Living Lab
SAICSIT '13: Proceedings of the South African Institute for Computer Scientists and Information Technologists ConferenceResearch shows that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can make a significant contribution to economic growth and social development of communities. However, in rural areas there are challenges that appear to slow down the progress and ...
Comments