Course Details

Advanced Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Advanced Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development Course is tailored for development professionals, policy makers, and project managers who seek to deepen their understanding of advanced techniques in impact evaluation. This course equips participants with the skills and tools necessary to assess the effectiveness of development interventions through rigorous, data-driven approaches. By focusing on evidence-based development, the course emphasizes how impact evaluations can be used to generate actionable insights that improve program design, enhance policy-making, and optimize resource allocation.

Participants will explore advanced evaluation designs, data collection methodologies, and analytical techniques, enabling them to determine the causal impact of interventions. The course also emphasizes the importance of using evaluation findings to make informed decisions, ensuring that development programs achieve their desired outcomes in the most effective and efficient manner.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Advanced Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development Course is ideal for professionals involved in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of development projects and programs, particularly those who require advanced skills in impact evaluation to improve the effectiveness of their interventions. Target participants include:

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialists
• Project and Program Managers
• Development Practitioners
• Policy Makers and Government Officials
• Researchers and Academics
• Donors and Funding Agencies
• Consultants in Development and Evaluation.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Professionals

COURSE DURATION

10 Days

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand Advanced Impact Evaluation Concepts and Methodologies
  Grasp the key principles and methodologies of advanced impact evaluations, including experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and how they apply to evidence-based development.
• Design Robust Impact Evaluation Frameworks
  Develop advanced evaluation frameworks that identify causal relationships between interventions and outcomes, ensuring credible and reliable evaluation results.
• Apply Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) and Other Experimental Designs
  Learn to design and implement Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) and other experimental methods to assess the direct impact of development programs on target populations.
• Utilize Quasi-Experimental Approaches
  Explore and apply quasi-experimental techniques, such as Difference-in-Differences (DiD), Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and Regression Discontinuity Designs (RDD), when randomization is not feasible.
• Collect and Analyze Quantitative and Qualitative Data
  Master the tools and techniques for collecting high-quality data and conducting both qualitative and quantitative analysis to measure program outcomes effectively.
• Assess Program Effectiveness and Causal Impact
  Evaluate the short-term and long-term impact of development programs, determining whether interventions have achieved their intended effects and identifying unintended consequences.
• Handle Bias and Confounding Factors
  Learn advanced techniques to control for bias and confounding variables in evaluations, ensuring more accurate and reliable findings.
• Interpret and Communicate Evaluation Results
  Effectively interpret the results of impact evaluations and communicate findings in ways that influence decision-makers, donors, and stakeholders.
• Make Evidence-Based Policy and Program Decisions
  Use impact evaluation results to guide evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that programs and policies are based on solid evidence and have the highest potential for success.
• Promote a Culture of Learning and Adaptation
  Foster a learning environment within organizations by using impact evaluations to continuously adapt and improve program effectiveness over time.

COURSE OUTLINE

Overview of M&E Fundamentals for Impact Evaluation

• Results Framework
• M&E Project Indicators
• Logical Framework
• Performance Evaluation

Introduction to Impact Evaluation

• Defining impact evaluation
• Deciding whether to evaluate
• Attribution in impact evaluation
• Contribution vs attribution

Determining points of Impact Evaluation

• Types of evaluation questions
• Theories of Change
• The results chain
• Evaluation hypothesis
• Impact evaluation indicators

Counterfactuals in Impact Evaluation

• Causal reference
• Comparison groups and counterfactuals
• Estimating counterfactual in impact evaluation
• Impact Evaluation when a Comparison and Baseline Data are not available

Impact Evaluation Designs

• Experimental Design
• Randomized Control Trials
• Quasi experimental designs
• Regression Discontinuity
• Difference-in-Difference
• Propensity Score Matching

Sampling in Impact Evaluation

• Sampling techniques in Impact Evaluation
• Sample size calculation,
• Sampling weight
• Statistical power
• Constructing valid comparison groups

Data Collection in Impact Evaluation

• Determining What Data are Needed
• Data Sources
• Designing a Survey
• Managing the Data Collection

Quantitative Data Analysis for Impact Evaluation

Introduction to Statistical Data Analysis in Impact Evaluation

• Understanding the foundations of Data Analysis in Impact Evaluation
• Data Management
• Descriptive Analysis in Impact Evaluation
• Inferential Analysis in Impact Evaluation

Randomized Impact Evaluation

• Statistical Design of Randomization
• Impacts of Program Placement
• Impacts of Program Participation
• Capturing Both Program Placement and Participation
• Measuring Spillover Effects

Propensity Score Matching Technique (PSM)

• Introduction to PSM
• Application of PSM in Impact Evaluation
• Constructing propensity scores
• Matching Analysis
• Common support

Difference in Difference Method

• What is DID?
• Application of DID in Impact Evaluation
• Estimating DID estimator
• DID for Cross-Sectional Data
• Balancing Tests

Qualitative Approaches in Impact Evaluation

• Introduction to qualitative data analysis
• Qualitative data analysis techniques in Impact Evaluation
• Triangulation with quantitative data

Producing and Disseminating Impact Evaluation Findings

• Impact Evaluation Plan
• Impact Evaluation Reports
• Impact Evaluation Findings Dissemination Plan

Using Impact Evaluation in Policy Formulation

• Policy Evaluation Frameworks
• Policy Recommendations from Impact Evaluations
• Influencing Policy Decisions
• Case Studies

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com