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Glossary of terms for Development Management
H
Note: Within each definition, terms for which there are definitions elsewhere are highlighted.
Heterogeneous
Composed of different
elements that have different origins and do not belong to one organism
or system (opposite of homogeneous). The term structural heterogeneity
expresses this disunity: elements are together at a place at one time,
but their existence is influenced by external forces (dependency theory
= characteristic for under-developed societies).
Hierarchy
of objectives
There are objectives
of higher importance and lower level intermediate objectives that contribute
to reaching higher objectives. If objectives are laid out as a (simplified)
system, they can be put in the structure of a hierarchy. For example,
if a high ranking objective is "income increase", then to reach this objective
contributing objectives would be "income in agriculture is increased"
and "income in non-agricultural sectors is increased". This principle
can be pursued down to lower level objectives, until one has constructed
an "objectives tree".
Horizontal
logic
The logical relationship
in the project planning matrix (PPM) or LogFrame between the objectives
in the intervention strategy column, and their related indicators
and means of verification (MoVs). It ensures that each objective
(each result, the project purpose and the goal) is specified
in measurable (and to a certain extent quantifiable) terms so that its
achievement can be verified. Indicators are formulated as the performance
yardstick by which the success or failure to attain the project results,
purpose and goal can be judged. In order to monitor the process,
a transparent and reliable source of information (the "Means of Verification")
from which the evidence of success or failure can be collected in an objective
manner is specified for each indicator.
Hypothesis
A suggested explanation
for a group of phenomena / facts / perceptions that is either accepted
as a basis for further verification (working hypothesis) or accepted as
likely to be true; also a supposition or assumption in an argument, or
a debated theory.
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