This scoping review explores a central but underexamined question in the field of public sector reform and evaluation system strengthening: How are national monitoring and evaluation (M&E) (eco)systems theorized to contribute to improved development outcomes? Although M&E systems have proliferated globally over the past two decades, many continue to have limited influence on policy and service delivery outcomes, as documented in evaluations and global diagnostics. Among national systems that aspire to development impact, relatively few publicly articulate how evaluation activities, institutional reforms, or capacity-building efforts are expected to contribute to improved governance, service quality, or accountability.
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