@inbook{59eb65bb04eb4c5fb142a33ed33e4653,
title = "Where's the {"}evidence{"}? Reflecting on monitoring and evaluation within sport-for-development",
abstract = "Purpose-The purpose of this chapter is to critically examine the extensive calls for enhanced evidence within the sport-for-development field. The chapter questions whether these are appropriate and realistic. Design/methodology/ approach-The chapter utilizes current literature to deconstruct the assumptions that increased evidence will legitimize the field of sport-for-development, improve practice and enhance future policy. The authors' own experiences, working as external evaluators, are also drawn upon to critique the value of current {"}evidence.{"} Findings-The chapter illustrates how current calls for evidence are somewhat misguided and are unlikely to fully realize the intended consequence of validating sport-for-development or improving future practice. Utilizing personal reflections, the impact that Global North/Global South power imbalances have on data is discussed, suggesting that this will rarely lead to data that provide a detailed understanding of work in practice. Research limitations/implications-The chapter builds on the work of other authors illustrating the importance of disconnecting research from evidence and monitoring and evaluation in the sport-for-development field. Originality/value-The chapter utilizes previous literature but also provides a rarely available personal perspective on the issue of evidence that continues to permeate the rationale behind undertaking research within sport-for- development.",
keywords = "Evidence, Impact, Monitoring and evaluation, Sport-for-development",
author = "Ruth Jeanes and Iain Lindsey",
year = "2014",
doi = "10.1108/S1476-285420140000008009",
language = "English",
isbn = "9781783508853",
volume = "8",
series = "Research in the Sociology of Sport",
publisher = "Emerald Group Publishing Limited",
pages = "197 -- 217",
editor = "Kevin Young and Chiaki Okada",
booktitle = "Sport, Social Development and Peace",
address = "United Kingdom",
}