ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the concept of shared social group values – human values related to concepts such as trust, respect, integrity and justice – and the problem of intangibility 'versus' measurability. It argues for a better and more explicit understanding of social values, their central importance to community and public projects and initiatives and the necessity of finding ways to capture and have appropriate and measurable indicators for these values. The chapter proposes that to do this requires the abandonment of models that attempt to reductively pin down social variables; instead aiming for approaches that can accept fuzziness, whilst holding onto validity. The logical framework analysis approach has been criticized by Edwards and Hulme for overemphasizing short-term, quantitative targets and promoting 'accountancy' over 'accountability'. Contemporary evaluation literature describes several interrelated theoretical approaches and practical strategies that can be drawn on to develop an evaluation framework for such intangible aspects of civil society organization (CSO) work.
