Introduction to Impact Evaluation for Public Management

Learn how impact evaluations help make better decisions about public resources: how to identify evaluation opportunities, what a reliable impact evaluation consists of, how to leverage the lessons of an impact evaluation, and how to drive a learning agenda at your institution.

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Objective: By the end of the course, the student will understand what a reliable impact evaluation with scientific credibility consists of and will learn how impact evaluations help to make better decisions about resources and public management. In turn, they will know the experimental evaluation method and the technical requirements to carry out impact evaluations and will have acquired the ability to identify opportunities for experimental evaluation within public policy, as well as the recognition of the elements (logistical, institutional and ethical challenges) to be taken into account when designing an evaluation.

Methodology: The course will last approximately 5 weeks and will allow its participants to get started in the field of impact evaluation. In addition, this course uses numerous practical examples and a didactic style to explain what an impact evaluation is, its technical elements and how it differs from other types of evaluations. Additionally, the content and activities of the program are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing flexibility in time and space to consult the material and learn on their own pace based on each student's work calendar.

Modules:

• Module 1 - Importance of Impact Evaluation
• Module 2 - Basic concepts of impact evaluation and the experimental method
• Module 3 - Theory of Change
• Module 4 - Management Evaluations: Assessing the How rather Than the What
• Module 5 - How to start thinking about an evaluation: technical, logistical, institutional and ethical challenges
• Module 6 - Closing and conclusions

Recommended prior knowledge: Although not a requirement, it is recommended to have basic knowledge of statistical inference.