Giving critical theoretical and evaluation practice context to ‘Testing, Testing’ in Jamaica

Abstract

This article examines how evaluability assessments can be designed and conducted to generate meaningful and actionable results for reducing youth crime in Jamaica. It draws on case illustrations from the 2021 ‘Testing, Testing’ CAPRI research study report to highlight the nexus between research and evaluation and promote adopting practices that can enhance the quality and relevance of evaluations conducted within the Caribbean region and beyond. The findings suggest that data needed to inform evaluation and evidenced-based policymaking remain limited despite re-energised regional and global efforts to address this challenge. Particularly, low data quality, production, and use continue to hinder measuring progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The article, therefore, offers an accessible decolonising framework for understanding, supporting and critically assessing how inertia within the context of evaluation practice can be challenged. Concrete suggestions for action include using local knowledge and underutilised techniques such as evaluability assessments.