Master of Philosophy in Monitoring and Evaluation

Purpose

The need for effective Monitoring and Evaluation is increasingly recognised as an indispensable tool of both project and portfolio management. This demand is driven by public sector reforms in many African countries as well as increasing demands for accountability by international donors and development agencies. In response to this demand the qualification aims to develop a learner with assessing skills and skills in collecting and analysing data that can be used to design work plans towards improvement strategies. The qualification has been designed to provide a balanced training to learners who require knowledge and skills in Monitoring and Evaluation methods.

The qualification prepares individuals to engage in inter-related skills and competencies that anchor the design, delivery, oversight, and evaluation of a wide array of both public and private programmes. They can think logically, plan systematically and solve complex problems. It also allows learners to continue their professional development in this growing inter-disciplinary domain. The Master's Degree will be unique in its dedicated focus on the theory, methodology and practice of Monitoring and Evaluation.

Rationale

Monitoring and Evaluation of development activities provides government officials, development managers and civil society with better means of learning from past experience, improving service delivery, planning and allocating resources, and demonstrating results as part of accountability to key stakeholders. The acknowledged need to improve performance of development calls for close attention to the provision of management of information, which helps to support the implementation of projects and programmes and to feed back into the design of new initiatives. Monitoring and Evaluation also provide a basis for accountability in the use of development resources. Within the development community there is a strong focus on results and this helps explain the growing interest in Monitoring and Evaluation. Mismanagement of resources in an institution is followed up and dealt with through Monitoring and Evaluation processes.

Monitoring and Evaluation is vital in helping governments and organisations to demonstrate outcomes and impact. They can enhance accountability and at the same time, provide means for learning, in order to enhance and maximise outcomes and to help reach the set goals. This qualification will focus on the history and theory of Monitoring and Evaluation as a developing "discipline" in its own right, which is practised within various contexts. Monitoring and Evaluation has its own approaches and models, own sets of designs and methodologies and own domains of implementation.

It is expected that the learner should be able to

• Read and critically evaluate academic texts in English.
• Communicate information and their own ideas orally and in written text, using accepted standards of scientific and academic writing, at NQF Level 8.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning can be used to grant

• Access to learners who do not meet access requirements.
• Credits towards modules in the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to University policy.

Access to the Qualification

A learner will gain Access to for the Qualification if he/she has

• A Postgraduate Diploma: Monitoring and Evaluation Methods.

OR

• An Honours/Postgraduate Diploma in the Social Sciences or equivalent acceptable to the University (average of 65% average in the major subjects).

The qualification consists of

• Six compulsory NQF Level 9 course work modules, worth 15 credits each.
• Two optional modules, worth 15 credits each.
• A research assignment which constitutes 60 credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Evaluation theory: Current debates and approaches.
• Impact evaluation design.
• Indicators and measurement for Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Data collection and data management for evaluation.
• Statistics for evaluation.
• Qualitative analysis of evaluation data.

Elective modules (select 2 modules)

• Evaluation in the public sector: Policy analysis, performance management and government reforms.
• Managing a Monitoring and Evaluation portfolio and designing Monitoring and Evaluation systems.
• Monitoring and evaluating health interventions.
• Politics and ethics of evaluation.
• African evaluation (Case studies).

Learners enrolled in Master of Philosophy: Monitoring and Evaluation who successfully completes the qualification will

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the history and development of Monitoring and Evaluation as a field of study internationally as well as in South Africa.
2. Lead planning and co-ordination of projects through a consultative process.
3. Undertake periodic review of implementation and operation of monitoring and reporting mechanisms; including the preparation of best practices and lessons learned.
4. Show a good understanding of the main theoretical approaches and models in the field.
5. Design and conduct evaluation studies utilising the most appropriate methods and techniques.
6. Demonstrate a good understanding of professional (including ethical) and organisational considerations when managing the Monitoring and Evaluation portfolio in an organisation.
7. Exhibit basic research skills using library and other resources effectively and integrating information from a variety of sources to suit the needs of the particular areas of research.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are embedded appropriately in the modules, which constitute the programmes that lead up to the qualification. They will be assessed within the context of the programmes.

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the need for evaluation and its contextual factors in Africa.
2. Select and use appropriate data collection methods in the form of questionnaires, interviews or observations and perform different forms of qualitative data analyses.
3. Plan, execute and report on a comprehensive research project.
4. Demonstrate a good understanding of distinctive features of main evaluation theories and approaches.
5. Provide a good leadership role within Monitoring and Evaluation processes by ensuring that correct practices are followed to deliver service.
6. Design and execute Monitoring and Evaluation strategies in a professional manner.
7. Review, critique and evaluate current research and multiple sources of professional literature in an intellectual independent manner, using sound theoretical judgement.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment focuses on

• Assessment methods used to measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules.
• The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of Monitoring and Evaluation.
• The application of Monitoring and Evaluation theory to a practical context.
• The methods of research used.
• A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification.