Research and development programs are under increasing pressure to demonstrate and

enhance their impacts towards the triple bottom lines of environment, economic and social

criteria. Cotton research, development and extension funders are looking for strategies

both to meet this reporting need and to build capability and impact-thinking amongst

research and extension providers. This research reviews literature and existing reports and,

through a series of unstructured and semi-structured interviews, explores the perspectives

of both research funders and researchers towards evaluation.

It has identified a low level of formal evaluation practice and understanding amongst

cotton researchers. However, many researchers regularly gather feed back from industry about their research

and are willing to further explore constructive evaluation. Strong

views are held about a lack of specialised skills, and the need to engage these rather than

build them solely within existing staff. Building an appreciation and understanding

evaluation amongst researchers was regarded important to aid evaluation and improve

projects.

A strategic, holistic view is needed for evaluation of Cotton RD&E to be efficient and

minimise the pressure on industry in gathering data. This efficiency as three core

elements: I) Finding a balance between projects and programs - it is suggested to look at

individual projects up to the level of outputs and at project clusters, programs or key

questions for evaluation of outcomes and impacts; 2) minimising the pressure on industry

by gathering data in smart & efficient ways, unobtrusively where possible; and 3) develop

and resource a clear evaluation strategy.

Also identified in this research are diverse values and roles for cotton research,

with a gradient of embeddedness in industry. There are some conflicts between perceived

industry needs and organisational needs for some scientists, particularily about the need for

peer reviewed publishing.

Development of the following manuals:

*Knowledge Management in cotton & Grain Irrigation

*Planning & conducting Focus Group Interviews

*Strategic Approaches for Evaluation in Agricultural & Natural Resource Management Research Programs

*Strategic approaches for Evaluation in australian Cotton Research Programs