Abstract
Performance measurement is an evaluative function within programs or organizations that involves systematically and regularly tracking indicators of outputs, outcomes, and impacts. This information enables stakeholders to take timely corrective action and increase the likelihood for program success. Effective performance measurement largely depends on the use of appropriate indicators. Indicators are operationalization of program results (outcomes and impacts). Inaccuracy in the use of appropriate indicators affects construct validity. Preconditions for construct validity of indicators include specificity, clarity, directness, achievability, relevance, and adequacy. Assumptions arise whenever these preconditions are unexamined or taken for granted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
American International Health Alliance. (2004). Monitoring & evaluation toolkit for new partners. Washington, DC: American International Health Alliance, Inc.
Anderson, A. (2011). The community builder’s approach to theory of change: A practical guide to theory development. New York: The Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change.
Organization for Economic Cooperation in Development, Development Assistance Committee (OECD DAC). (2002). Glossary of key terms in evaluation and results based management. www.oecd.org. Accessed 26 Dec 14.
Organization for Economic Cooperation in Development (OECD). (2008). Handbook for constructing composite indicators: Methodology and user guide. www.oecd.org/publishing/corrigenda. Accessed 26 Dec 14.
Poister, T. H. (2010). Performance Measurement: Monitoring Program Outcomes. In Joseph S. Wholey, Harry P. Hatry, & Kathryn E. Newcomer (Eds). Handbook for Practical Program Evaluation, 100–124. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
USAID. (1996a). Performance Monitoring and Evaluation TIPS. Establishing Performance Targets. USAID Center for Development Information and Evaluation. Number 13.
USAID. (1996b). Performance Monitoring and Evaluation TIPS. Selecting performance indicators. USAID Center for Development Information and Evaluation. Number 13.
USAID. (2000). Performance Monitoring and Evaluation TIPS. Building a Results Framework. USAID Center for Development Information and Evaluation. Number 13.
World Vision. (2011). Child well-being targets: Setting the levels of change. Global Office of Strategy management. Unpublished presentation.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Nkwake, A. (2015). Validity in Performance Measurement. In: Credibility, Validity, and Assumptions in Program Evaluation Methodology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19021-1_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19021-1_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-19020-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-19021-1
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)