Participatory Evaluation And Utilization Of Evaluation Results In Share An Opportunity-Sao Uganda

ABSTRACT

This study investigated Participatory Evaluation (PE) and Utilization of Evaluation in SAO Uganda. Specifically, the study: assessed the relationship between PE planning and utilization of evaluation; examined the relationship between PE implementation and utilization of evaluation; and, found out the effect of resources on the relationship between PE and utilization of evaluation in SAO-Uganda. This quantitative and qualitative case study design selected of 116 respondents from 129 subjects consisting of SAO staff, local government politicians, technical persons and community stakeholders, using purposive and stratified sampling. They responded to closed ended self-administered questionnaires and interviews which were analyzed using SPSS and interpreted according to respective themes. Cronbatch’s alpha reliability measure provided by SPSS was used to measure the reliability of the questions. The study found a weak positive statistically non-significant relationship(r=0.194, sig=0.059) between Participatory Evaluation Planning (PEP) and utilization of evaluation and a weak positive statistically significant relationship (r=0.366, sig=0.000) between Participatory Evaluation Implementation (PEI) and utilization of evaluation. Resources significantly influenced the relationship between PE and utilization of evaluation (sig=0.004≤ 0.5). The moderating effect of resources makes PEP a weaker determinant of utilization of evaluation (B=0.021) and PEI a stronger determinant (B=0.366).The study concluded that stakeholders are engaged less on major decisions and tasks of PEP and participation drops from data collection, through analysis to interpretation, then rises at reporting. The sample size, interview sites and the length of time the evaluation lasts decreases due to limited time, financial and human resources. SAO uses evaluation results so commonly when they do not cause big budget implications. The study recommended stakeholder engagement for relevant decisions and tasks of PE, innovative utilization of existing and mobilization of more resources to improve PE and utilization of evaluation.