Training on Impact Evaluation in Monitoring & Evaluation

Module 1: Introduction to Impact Evaluation in M&E

• Overview of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and the role of impact evaluation
• Key concepts: causality, counterfactuals, and attribution
• Types of impact evaluation: experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental
• Case Study: Evaluating the impact of a youth empowerment project
• Practical: Develop an impact pathway for a sample project

Module 2: Designing Impact Evaluations

• Steps in designing an impact evaluation
• Selecting appropriate evaluation designs and methodologies
• Developing a theory of change and logic models
• Case Study: Choosing the right design for an agricultural subsidy program
• Practical: Create a logic model and evaluation framework for a project

Module 3: Data Collection and Management for Impact Evaluation

• Planning and executing data collection: surveys, interviews, and administrative data
• Ensuring data quality: sampling, measurement, and minimizing biases
• Ethical considerations in impact evaluation
• Case Study: Household survey implementation for a rural livelihoods program
• Practical: Design a questionnaire and sampling plan for an evaluation study

Module 4: Analyzing Impact Evaluation Data

• Introduction to statistical techniques for impact evaluation
• Using software tools (e.g., Stata, R) for data analysis
• Interpreting results: understanding significance, effect sizes, and confidence intervals
• Case Study: Measuring project outcomes using baseline and endline data
• Practical: Analyze sample data using Stata/R and interpret findings

Module 5: Reporting and Utilizing Impact Evaluation Findings

• Writing clear and actionable impact evaluation reports
• Communicating findings to stakeholders and decision-makers
• Incorporating evaluation results into program and policy design
• Case Study: Using evaluation evidence to redesign a donor-funded program
• Practical: Prepare and present an executive summary of evaluation results