Impact evaluation of policies, programmes and projects

This tutor-based online certification programme provides a practical approach to design, conduct and interpret impact evaluations. It brings together researchers, evaluation experts, policy makers and development practitioners in a collaborative and instructive online space. OBJECTIVES The training objectives were to: • Describe and explain concepts and methods to design an impact evaluation based on a counterfactual or based on qualitative data; • Assess the cost-effectiveness of development interventions; • Identify impact evaluation options that recognize budget, time and data constraints, and that best suit the needs of specific programmes, countries and institutional context; • Strengthen the technical capability to understand, interpret and identify the pros and cons of quantitative impact evaluations (experimental and quasi-experimental design) and qualitative impact evaluations; • Design, prepare and plan an impact evaluation; • Analyse data to perform impact evaluations and cost-benefits analysis. CONTENT I Distance learning modules, the online certification programme was delivered through the ITCILO online platform, the e-Campus. Participants have been exposed to the following 8 tutor-guided modules introducing, in detail, the knowledge and skills required to assess the relevance and effectiveness of an impact evaluation: 1. Introduction to impact evaluation; 2. Theory of change, results model, impact evaluation questions and indicators; 3. Generating a counterfactual and introduction to experimental methods; 4. Experimental and quasi-experimental methods; 5. Evaluation methods based on qualitative approaches; 6. Choosing the appropriate evaluation methods, data sources and data collection methods; 7. Sampling, survey and impact evaluation implementation; 8. Data analysis, reporting and dissemination. RESULTS This certificate of participation has been delivered to the participants who have completed: I. Distance learning modules · Completion of 8 tutor-guided online modules. II. Knowledge tests and case studies · Acquisition of practical knowledge and skills.