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Purity or pragmatism? Reflecting on the use of systematic review methodology in development

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  • Ruth Stewart
  • Carina van Rooyen
  • Thea de Wet

Abstract

Systematic review methodology pioneered in health care has been increasingly applied to development questions of importance in lower- and middle-income countries. This paper reports one such review on the topic of microfinance in sub-Saharan Africa and reflects on the number of pragmatic methodological compromises made when applying the method to a new field. These compromises relate to multidisciplinary teamwork, application of regional filters, drawing on evidence from additional study types and exploring mechanisms for change through the development and testing of a causal pathway. The paper concludes that a pragmatic rigorous approach to systematically reviewing evidence of effectiveness is needed for international development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruth Stewart & Carina van Rooyen & Thea de Wet, 2012. "Purity or pragmatism? Reflecting on the use of systematic review methodology in development," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(3), pages 430-444, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevef:v:4:y:2012:i:3:p:430-444
    DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2012.711341
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Bamberger & Vijayendra Rao & Michael Woolcock, 2009. "Using Mixed Methods in Monitoring and Evaluation: Experiences from International Development’," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 10709, GDI, The University of Manchester.
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    3. Michael A. Clemens & Gabriel Demombynes, 2011. "When does rigorous impact evaluation make a difference? The case of the Millennium Villages," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(3), pages 305-339, September.
    4. Elisabeth King & Cyrus Samii & Birte Snilstveit, 2010. "Interventions to promote social cohesion in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(3), pages 336-370.
    5. Andy Sumner, 2010. "Global Poverty and the New Bottom Billion: Three-Quarters of the World’s Poor Live in Middle-Income Countries," One Pager 120, International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth.
    6. Chambers, Robert & Karlan, Dean & Ravallion, Martin & Rogers, Patricia, 2009. "Designing impact evaluations: different perspectives," 3ie Publications 2009-4, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).
    7. Andy Sumner, 2010. "Global Poverty and the New Bottom Billion: What if Three-quarters of the World’s Poor Live in Middle-income Countries?," Working Papers 74, International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hansen, Henrik & Trifkovic, Neda, 2013. "Systematic Reviews: Questions, Methods and Usage," MPRA Paper 47993, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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