Training Course on Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development (MEC004)
Training Course on Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development
The Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development Training Course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, implement, and assess the impact of development programs. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of impact evaluation methodologies, tools, and techniques, enabling them to make evidence-based decisions that contribute to the success and effectiveness of development initiatives.
Course Duration
Online Training: 5 days (4hrs per day)
Classroom Training: 5 days (7hrs per day)
Course Objectives
By the end of the training, the participants will:
- Acquire knowledge of impact evaluation theories and methodologies.
- Explore challenges related to attribution, selection, and placement biases in evaluation problems.
- Gain insight into various impact evaluation designs, including randomized, quasi, and non-experimental approaches.
- Develop the skills to perform a rigorous impact evaluation of a project.
- Learn and apply techniques for sampling and power calculation in impact evaluation.
- Practice econometric techniques for analyzing the impact of interventions.
- Execute impact data analysis using methods such as Propensity Matching and Difference-in-Difference.
- Effectively report and disseminate findings from impact evaluations.
Organisational Impact
Organizations whose staff attend this course will benefit from:
- Enhanced ability to measure program effectiveness and impact
- Strengthened evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management
- Improved program accountability and transparency
- Enhanced credibility with donors, stakeholders, and partners
- Capacity to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings into program improvement
Personal Impact
Participants will gain:
- Practical skills in designing and conducting rigorous impact evaluations
- Hands-on experience with quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods
- Improved confidence in reporting and communicating evaluation results
- Ability to address attribution and selection challenges in real-world programs
- A Certificate of Completion issued by Perk Group Africa
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Impact Evaluation
- Definition and importance of impact evaluation in development
- Impact evaluation attribution
- Attribution versus contribution
Module 2: Determining points of Impact Evaluation
- Forms of evaluation
- Theories of Change
- Hypothesis of evaluation
- Indicators of impact evaluation
- The results chain
Module 3: Impact Evaluation Counterfactuals
- Causal reference
- Counterfactuals and comparison groups
- Counterfactual estimation in impact evaluation
- Impact Evaluation without comparison and baseline data
Module 4: Impact Evaluation Research Designs
- Experimental Design- Randomized Control Trials
- Quasi experimental designs
- Difference-in-Difference
- Regression Discontinuity
- Matching
- Non-experimental designs
Module 5: Impact Evaluation Sampling
- Impact Evaluation sampling techniques
- Calculation of sample size
- Sampling weight
- Statistical power
- Development of comparison groups
Module 6: Impact Evaluation Quantitative Data Analysis
- Randomized Impact Evaluation
- Developing counterfactual
- Randomization
- Program Placement impacts
- Program Participation impacts
- Integrating Program Placement and Participation
- Spillover Effects Measurements
- Propensity Score Matching Technique (PSM)
- Introduction to PSM
- Application of PSM in Impact Evaluation
- Developing propensity scores
- Matching Analysis (Nearest-Neighbour, Stratification, Radius, Kernel )
- Doubly Robust Estimation
Module 7: Difference in Difference Method
- Introduction to DID
- Application of DID in Impact Evaluation
- DID estimator: (Single DID, DID with covariates, Quantile DID)
- DID for Cross-Sectional Data
- Balancing Tests
- Diff-in-Diff with Propensity Score Matching
Module 8: Qualitative Approaches in Impact Evaluation
- Significant Change
- Outcome Mapping
- Outcome Harvesting
- Appreciative Inquiry
Module 9: Impact Evaluation Findings Development and Dissemination
- Impact Evaluation Plan
- Impact Evaluation Reports: Baseline report, Impact Evaluation Reports
- Case studies
Note: The specific content, activities, and duration of each session may be adjusted based on the target audience, learning objectives, and available time.
Course Language
English
Training Methodology
The course will adopt a practical, learner-centered, and evidence-focused approach to ensure participants gain both conceptual understanding and applied skills in impact evaluation. The methodology emphasizes hands-on exercises, real-world applications, and interactive engagement.
The training methodology includes:
- Interactive Lectures and Conceptual Discussions: Introduction to impact evaluation theories, designs, methodologies, and key concepts such as attribution, counterfactuals, and causality.
- Case Studies and Real-World Examples: Application of impact evaluation principles to actual development programs and projects to illustrate challenges and best practices.
- Hands-On Exercises: Guided exercises on designing impact evaluations, constructing counterfactuals, selecting appropriate evaluation designs, and developing indicators.
- Quantitative Data Analysis Practice: Practical sessions using statistical techniques such as Propensity Score Matching, Difference-in-Difference, and regression methods to analyze program impact.
- Qualitative Methods Application: Exercises using participatory and qualitative evaluation approaches, including Significant Change, Outcome Mapping, Outcome Harvesting, and Appreciative Inquiry.
- Sampling and Power Calculations: Step-by-step guidance on sampling design, sample size determination, and calculation of statistical power for rigorous evaluations.
- Data Interpretation and Reporting: Practice in translating evaluation findings into actionable insights, developing evaluation reports, and disseminating results effectively to stakeholders.
- Group Work and Peer Learning: Collaborative exercises to simulate real-world evaluation planning, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination strategies.
- Problem-Solving and Adaptive Learning: Participants address evaluation challenges such as selection bias, program placement effects, and data limitations through guided discussions and exercises.
- Continuous Feedback and Coaching: Trainers provide feedback throughout the course to ensure participants can apply methods correctly and gain confidence in impact evaluation practice.
Certification
Upon completion of training, the participant will be issued with a certificate of Completion.
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