Teaching Paper: Glossary of Monitoring and Evaluation Terms
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Journal: NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies (ERDO)
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-glossary-2025
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About the Article
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) depends on shared understanding of technical language among stakeholders, donors, and practitioners. This Teaching Paper provides a glossary of essential M&E terms, from foundational principles such as accountability, indicators, and baseline studies to advanced methods like randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and regression discontinuity designs (RDDs). Each definition is paired with a practical note, making complex terminology accessible and actionable. By bridging academic definitions with applied practice, this glossary strengthens organizational capacity, supports donor communication, and enhances the credibility of evaluation systems in diverse development contexts.
Key Topics
- Core M&E terms with clear definitions and practical notes
- Accountability, indicators, baselines, and results-based management
- Advanced methods: RCTs, RDDs, mixed methods, triangulation
- Ethical principles: informed consent, confidentiality, validity
- Case example: using glossary terms in donor proposals
- Reflection questions for organizational learning
- Common challenges: jargon, donor variation, local adaptation
Academic Value
This Teaching Paper contributes to both academic and professional practice by transforming technical language into practical reference material. It is a resource for teaching M&E in development studies programs and a hands-on guide for practitioners writing proposals, designing evaluations, or reporting to donors. By standardizing terminology, it builds capacity, fosters clarity, and strengthens communication across the non-profit sector.
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Glossary of Monitoring and Evaluation Terms – Essential Concepts for Non-Profit Leaders and Development Practitioners. NEYA Global Publishing.
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Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching paper: Glossary of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) terms. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-ethical-glossary-2025
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https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-meplans-2025
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https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-datatools-2025
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https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-me-understanding-2025
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