Comment on Rhodes et al. (2005): Some Further Thoughts on Assessing the Effects of Area-based Initiatives on Local Outcomes

Abstract

This comment looks at the findings presented by Rhodes et al. (2005) in relation to the effects of seven SRB case studies on local outcomes. It questions their selective discussion of the positive outcomes relative to the national benchmarks they present and their aggregation of the theories of change, the outputs and the outcomes from the programme; it also raises some further methodological considerations relevant to the evaluation of area-based initiatives. In conclusion, this comment argues that the ability for evaluations of ABIs to show their precise contributions to outcomes is seriously constrained by both methodological and practical considerations.