Teaching Paper: Glossary of Key Monitoring and Evaluation Terms – Building Shared Understanding for Effective Practice

Effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) relies on a shared vocabulary that fosters clarity and consistency across organizations. This Teaching Paper presents a curated glossary of 40 key terms, ranging from foundational concepts like outputs, outcomes, and accountability to advanced methods such as randomized controlled trials, regression analysis, and mixed-methods evaluation. Each entry includes a practical note, linking academic rigor with real-world application in non-profit practice. A case study demonstrates how one organization improved reporting and donor communication by adopting a shared glossary. Reflection questions and tips are provided to help non-profits contextualize and integrate the glossary into their evaluation systems.