Measuring the impact of a program involves choosing the right methodology based on the program characteristics and implementing the chosen methodology correctly. In this course we will cover each methodology in detail (experiments, difference in differences, matching – synthetic controls and regression discontinuity) and we will briefly review how to use evidence produced in rigorous assessments to take policy decisions.

The purpose of the course is to teach participants different methodologies, their assumptions, the cases in which they can be used, and how to implement them. At the end of the course, participants will understand the differences between various techniques to plan an impact assessment, and will be able to use their expertise on each technique to access and use the evidence produced by impact assessments to make decisions about how to best use their institution’s resources. 

Fundamentals of impact assessment: difference between monitoring, results assessment and impact assessment, contracts, randomized controlled experiments, technical requirements of experimental evaluations, theory of change, management and policy assessments, challenges in conducting an assessment and fundamentals of statistical inference.