There
are a number of obstacles to a successful conduct of policy evaluation.
These are as follows:
(v) Official Resistance
(i)
Uncertainty over Policy Goals
One
of the problems encountered in the process of policy evaluation is the lack of
clarity or diverse nature of the goals of a policy. This is a serious problem
because it may make it difficult to determine the extent to which they have
been attained.
(ii)
Causality
Another
problem of policy evaluation is that of determining that changes in real life
conditions emanate from a certain policy action(s). In other words,
establishing a relationship between a policy and its impact or consequences.
For instance, can reduction in crime rate be directly linked to government
poverty eradication programme?
(iii)
Diffuse Policy Impact
Every
public policy usually targets a certain group. Yet, the fact remains that a
certain policy action may affect groups other than those which they are
specifically directed. For example, a welfare programme targeted at the poor
may also affect other well to do members of the society.
(iv)
Difficulties in Acquiring Data
Dearth
and sometimes non-availability of data may hamper policy evaluation. This is
usually the case in Nigeria,
where relevant data are sometimes unavailable. This poses a serious problem to
a policy evaluator who has no data to work with.
(v) Official Resistance
Policy
evaluation often results to indictment of certain government officials. Agency
or program officials are, therefore, bound to resist policy evaluation if they
suspect or fear that it will yield unfavourable results. They may discourage or
disparage evaluation studies or effuse to provide relevant data to evaluators,
or keep incomplete records.
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