Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

The following text is drawn from Guijt and Woodhill (2002).

Relative scales or ladders

The purpose of this method is to make a relative qualitative comparison of "before" and "after" situations related to specific indicators. This method can result in a diagram (as in a ladder drawn with indicators represented by symbols) or as written questions/indicators if they are difficult to depict. From an M&E perspective, this method can be used to assess qualitative aspects related to, for example, women’s self-esteem, the participation of marginalised groups or capacity-strengthening, which are otherwise hard to assess.

While this method also involves ranking, it differs from matrix scoring in that it only looks at one indicator at a time and gives it a rank by comparing past and present conditions relating to that single indicator.

Source: Guijt, I. and J. Woodhill (2002). Managing for Impact in Rural Development : A guide for project M & E. Rome, Italy: International Fund for Agricultural Development http://www.ifad.org/evaluation/guide/index.htm