865-0000-06L  Impact Evaluations in Practice

SemesterSpring Semester 2020
LecturersI. Günther, A. Rom
Periodicitytwo-yearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentOnly for MAS/CAS in Development and Cooperation students, as well as specialists with at least 24 months of practical experience in international cooperation.

ETH doctoral students working on topics related to poverty reduction in low- and middle income countries may also be admitted.

Registration only through the NADEL administration office.


AbstractThe course gives an introduction to the most important methods for rigorous impact analysis of development programs and projects. The course is designed to both cover the most fundamental methods of impact analysis and introduce real world case studies from national, international and non-governmental development organizations and asks how rigorous impact analysis has influenced their policies.
ObjectiveParticipants understand the most important methods of impact analysis. They are able to conduct small scale studies to evaluate the impact of their own programs as well as manage larger impact evaluations for their organizations. Participants are able to use the results of own and external impact studies.
ContentIntroduction to rigorous impact analysis; Case studies and their policy implications; Introduction to the required statistical knowledge; Potentials and limitations of quantitative analysis; Experimental and quasi-experimental methods; Relevant and feasible indicators for the measurement of outcomes and impacts; Data collection and analysis; Project management of an impact analysis.
Prerequisites / NoticeStudents of the course must fulfil requirements specified on the homepage of NADEL. Electronic registration may be done only after registration with NADEL secretariate.