Journal of Development Effectiveness

Aims & Scope

The aim of the Journal of Development Effectiveness is to support evidence-based policy making to enhance development effectiveness.

We do this by publishing high quality research that examines evidence of the impact of projects, programs and policies in developing countries, and discussions of experience in conducting impact evaluations and using their findings to inform policy and program design.

Although we don’t favour any one methodology, the research we publish must apply rigorous evaluation techniques that address biases robustly.

We have an interest in research which has been well contextualised with an appropriate use of mixed methods.

Research reporting interventions with no, or a negative, impact is also welcome as we have an explicit policy of ‘learning from our mistakes’, discouraging publication bias in favour of positive results.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	0.5
2024	0.90

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	15615

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	81

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.333

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q2

h-index

Year	Value
2024	33

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Narrative approaches to systematic review and synthesis of evidence for international development policy and practice

  Citation: 430

  Authors: Birte, Sandy, Martina

• The benefits and challenges of using systematic reviews in international development research

  Citation: 403

  Authors: Richard, Jessica, Rachel, Maren

• Theory-based impact evaluation: principles and practice

  Citation: 216

  Authors: Howard

• The impact of land property rights interventions on investment and agricultural productivity in developing countries: a systematic review

  Citation: 211

  Authors: Steven, Cyrus, Ruth, Aaron, Donna, Farai

• Conditional, unconditional and everything in between: a systematic review of the effects of cash transfer programmes on schooling outcomes

  Citation: 205

  Authors: Sarah, Francisco H.G., Berk, Michael

• How to do a good systematic review of effects in international development: a tool kit

  Citation: 180

  Authors: Hugh, Howard, Birte, Jorge Garcia, Martina, Philip, Ami, John, Tracey Perez, Mark, Jeffrey C., Peter

• The impact of conditional cash transfer programmes on child nutrition: a review of evidence using a programme theory framework

  Citation: 180

  Authors: Jef L., Marie, Ellen

• Conditional cash transfers and health: unpacking the causal chain

  Citation: 156

  Authors: Marie M., Amanda, Jessica E.

• Can self-help group programs improve women’s empowerment? A systematic review

  Citation: 125

  Authors: Carinne, Thomas de, Martina, Ruby, Megan, Padmini, Shari L.

• Effectiveness and sustainability of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in combating diarrhoea

  Citation: 124

  Authors: Hugh, Birte

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