Effective Evaluation in Social Policy: Uncovering Mechanisms that Determine Effective Evaluation in Digitalized Social Policy

This research explains and specifies the factors that determine effective evaluation in digital social policies. While most research focuses on how to evaluate, a common understanding on what makes this evaluation effective is missing. Since the decentralization measures of the Dutch government in 2015, municipalities are mainly responsible for social policy. To carry this out as effectively as possible, municipalities started working with Big Data. This is still a new phenomenon for many local governments and the approach to evaluation and monitoring seems difficult. By carrying out an ex-post and ex-ante meta-evaluation on the evaluation plans of social policies in Rotterdam and Kerkrade, this research uncovers the mechanisms of effective evaluation in digitalized social policy. The analysis indicates that it is important to include both internal and external partners in the evaluation, a mix of qualitative and quantitative evaluation is needed, stakeholders and beneficiaries...Show moreThis research explains and specifies the factors that determine effective evaluation in digital social policies. While most research focuses on how to evaluate, a common understanding on what makes this evaluation effective is missing. Since the decentralization measures of the Dutch government in 2015, municipalities are mainly responsible for social policy. To carry this out as effectively as possible, municipalities started working with Big Data. This is still a new phenomenon for many local governments and the approach to evaluation and monitoring seems difficult. By carrying out an ex-post and ex-ante meta-evaluation on the evaluation plans of social policies in Rotterdam and Kerkrade, this research uncovers the mechanisms of effective evaluation in digitalized social policy. The analysis indicates that it is important to include both internal and external partners in the evaluation, a mix of qualitative and quantitative evaluation is needed, stakeholders and beneficiaries should be consulted, and frequent monitoring should take place to ensure effective evaluation.Show less

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Effective Evaluation in Social Policy: Uncovering Mechanisms that Determine Effective Evaluation in Digitalized Social Policy