Impact evaluation: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:49, 11 December 2024

Impact Evaluation

Impact evaluation is a systematic process used to assess the changes that can be attributed to a particular intervention, such as a project, program, or policy. It involves the collection and analysis of data to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in achieving its intended outcomes. Impact evaluations are crucial in the fields of public health, education, social policy, and international development, among others.

Overview[edit]

Impact evaluation seeks to establish a causal relationship between the intervention and the observed outcomes. This involves comparing the outcomes of a group that received the intervention (the treatment group) with a group that did not (the control group). The primary goal is to determine whether the intervention caused the observed changes, rather than other external factors.

Methods[edit]

Several methods are used in impact evaluation, each with its strengths and limitations:

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)[edit]

RCTs are considered the gold standard in impact evaluation. Participants are randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group, minimizing selection bias and allowing for a clear attribution of outcomes to the intervention.

Quasi-Experimental Designs[edit]

When RCTs are not feasible, quasi-experimental designs are used. These include methods such as propensity score matching, difference-in-differences, and regression discontinuity design. These methods attempt to mimic the conditions of an RCT by controlling for confounding variables.

Qualitative Methods[edit]

Qualitative methods, such as case studies, interviews, and focus groups, provide in-depth insights into the context and mechanisms of the intervention. They are often used alongside quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive evaluation.

Challenges[edit]

Impact evaluation faces several challenges, including:

Attribution: Determining causality can be difficult, especially in complex environments with multiple influencing factors.
Data Collection: Gathering reliable and valid data can be resource-intensive and time-consuming.
Ethical Considerations: Ensuring that evaluations do not harm participants or communities is paramount.

Applications[edit]

Impact evaluations are used in various sectors to inform policy decisions, improve program design, and allocate resources effectively. For example, in public health, impact evaluations can assess the effectiveness of vaccination programs or health education campaigns.

Also see[edit]

Template:Evaluation Template:Research methods

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-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_evaluation Wikipedia]
+Impact Evaluation
-Impact evaluation assesses the changes that can be attributed to a particular intervention, such as a project, program or policy, both the intended ones, as well as ideally the unintended ones. In contrast to outcome monitoring, which examines whether targets have been achieved, impact evaluation is structured to answer the question: how would participants’ well-being have changed if the intervention had not been undertaken? This involves counterfactual analysis, that is, a comparison between what actually happened and what would have happened in the absence of the intervention.
+Impact evaluation is a systematic process used to assess the changes that can be attributed to a particular intervention, such as a project, program, or policy. It involves the collection and analysis of data to determine the effectiveness of the intervention in achieving its intended outcomes. Impact evaluations are crucial in the fields of [[public health]], [[education]], [[social policy]], and [[international development]], among others.
-Impact evaluation examines the initial effect of a program on proximal targets of change, such as policies, behaviors, or attitudes. Thus impact evaluation corresponds to assessment of the initial objectives of the program.
+==Overview==
+Impact evaluation seeks to establish a causal relationship between the intervention and the observed outcomes. This involves comparing the outcomes of a group that received the intervention (the treatment group) with a group that did not (the control group). The primary goal is to determine whether the intervention caused the observed changes, rather than other external factors.
-Impact evaluation monitors the acceptance of recommendations and the implementation of recommendations once accepted.
+==Methods==
-{{stub}}
+Several methods are used in impact evaluation, each with its strengths and limitations:
-{{dictionary-stub1}}
+===Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)===
+RCTs are considered the gold standard in impact evaluation. Participants are randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group, minimizing selection bias and allowing for a clear attribution of outcomes to the intervention.
+===Quasi-Experimental Designs===
+When RCTs are not feasible, quasi-experimental designs are used. These include methods such as [[propensity score matching]], [[difference-in-differences]], and [[regression discontinuity design]]. These methods attempt to mimic the conditions of an RCT by controlling for confounding variables.
+===Qualitative Methods===
+Qualitative methods, such as [[case studies]], [[interviews]], and [[focus groups]], provide in-depth insights into the context and mechanisms of the intervention. They are often used alongside quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive evaluation.
+==Challenges==
+Impact evaluation faces several challenges, including:
+* '''[[Attribution:]]''' Determining causality can be difficult, especially in complex environments with multiple influencing factors.
+* '''[[Data Collection:]]''' Gathering reliable and valid data can be resource-intensive and time-consuming.
+* '''[[Ethical Considerations:]]''' Ensuring that evaluations do not harm participants or communities is paramount.
+==Applications==
+Impact evaluations are used in various sectors to inform policy decisions, improve program design, and allocate resources effectively. For example, in [[public health]], impact evaluations can assess the effectiveness of vaccination programs or health education campaigns.
+==Also see==
+* [[Program evaluation]]
+* [[Cost-effectiveness analysis]]
+* [[Monitoring and evaluation]]
+* [[Evidence-based policy]]
+{{Evaluation}}
+{{Research methods}}
+[[Category:Evaluation methods]]
+[[Category:Research methods]]
+[[Category:Public policy]]