Training on Advanced Impact Evaluation for Evidence-Based Development

Module 1: Introduction to Impact Evaluation

• Overview of impact evaluation
• Importance of evidence-based development
• Types and phases of impact evaluation
• Case Study: Measuring impact in a donor-funded community development project
• Practical: Identifying impact vs output indicators

Module 2: Experimental Designs in Impact Evaluation

• Randomized Control Trials (RCTs)
• Designing and implementing RCTs
• Ethical considerations in experimental evaluations
• Case Study: RCT application in a health intervention program
• Practical: Designing a simple RCT framework

Module 3: Quasi-Experimental Designs

• Difference-in-Differences (DID)
• Propensity Score Matching (PSM)
• Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)
• Case Study: Evaluating an education program using quasi-experimental methods
• Practical: Applying DID or PSM to sample data

Module 4: Advanced Statistical Techniques

• Instrumental Variables (IV)
• Fixed effects and random effects models
• Handling attrition and non-compliance
• Case Study: Dealing with bias in program impact estimation
• Practical: Running a basic regression model for impact analysis

Module 5: Qualitative Methods in Impact Evaluation

• Role of qualitative methods in evaluation
• Focus groups and in-depth interviews
• Qualitative data analysis techniques
• Case Study: Understanding behavioral change through qualitative evaluation
• Practical: Designing interview and focus group guides

Module 6: Mixed-Methods Approaches

• Designing mixed-methods evaluations
• Integrating qualitative and quantitative data
• Triangulation techniques
• Case Study: Combined evaluation approach in a rural development project
• Practical: Building a mixed-methods evaluation design

Module 7: Data Collection & Management

• Survey design and questionnaire development
• Sampling techniques and strategies
• Data quality assurance and management
• Case Study: Data quality challenges in large-scale surveys
• Practical: Designing a survey tool and sampling plan

Module 8: Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Introduction to statistical software (STATA, R)
• Analyzing impact evaluation data
• Interpreting results and drawing conclusions
• Case Study: Translating evaluation data into actionable insights
• Practical: Interpreting sample dataset results

Module 9: Communicating Evaluation Findings

• Effective reporting and visualization of results
• Tailoring communication for stakeholders
• Developing policy briefs and presentations
• Case Study: How evaluation findings influenced national policy decisions
• Practical: Writing a simple policy brief

Module 10: Application, Learning & Case Studies

• Designing a complete impact evaluation study
• Real-world case studies of successful evaluations
• Lessons learned and best practices
• Translating evaluation into policy and decision-making
• Case Study: Full impact evaluation of a national development program
• Practical: Developing an end-to-end impact evaluation plan