Evaluating Social Programs
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Learn why evaluations matter and how they can be used to rigorously measure the social impact of development programs with this free course
Description
Learn why evaluations matter and how they can be used to rigorously measure the social impact of development programs. This practical course will provide a thorough understanding of randomized evaluations, with pragmatic step-by-step training for conducting one’s own evaluation. Through a combination of lectures and case studies from real randomized evaluations, the course will focus on the benefits and methods of randomization, choosing an appropriate sample size, and common threats and pitfalls to the validity of an experiment. While the course is centered around the why, how, and when of randomized evaluations, it will also impart insights on the importance of a needs assessment, measuring outcomes effectively, quality control, and monitoring methods that are useful for all kinds of evaluations.
What you’ll learn
Why and when rigorous evaluation of social impact is needed
The pitfalls of common evaluation designs, and why randomization helps
The key components of a well-designed randomized evaluation
Alternative techniques for incorporating randomization into project design
How to determine the appropriate sample size, measure outcomes, and manage data
Guarding against threats that may undermine the integrity of the results
Techniques for the analysis and interpretation of results
How to maximize policy impact and test external validity
The whys and hows of comparative cost-effectiveness analysis for informed policy making
