Summary: Guidance Note #1: Introduction To Impact Evaluation

Read the summary and the most important questions on Guidance Note #1: Introduction to Impact Evaluation

• 1 What do we mean by 'Impact Evaluation'?

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• What is impact evaluation?

  An investigation of the changes that an intervention has brought.

• Name different examples of scales on which an impact evaluation could be held.

  Impact evaluation can be undertaken on interventions at any scale: 
  - a small, local HIV-AIDS project
  - an entire civil society strengthening program of an NGO
  - a sequence of natural resource management projects undertaken in a geographic area
  - or a collection of concurrent activities by different organizations aimed at improving a community's capacity

• Which difference has been seen a lot in the definition of an impact evaluation?

  There are narrow and less narrow definitions of the term impact evaluation. Sometimes just every evaluation that systematically and empirically investigate the impacts from an intervention is included in the definition of an impact evaluation. Other times it is required for an evaluation to contain a counterfactual (an estimate of what would have happened if the intervention had not occured) a random or particular one. An example of a particular counterfactual is when you compare the results with a group who did not receive the intervention.

• When are these different definitions of impact important?

  The different definitions are important at the moment when it has to be decided what methods or research designs will be considered as credible by the intended users of the evaluation or by partners or funders.

• Why should the investments in impact evaluation (time and money) not be too big?/ Which other types of evaluation do exist and how do they support each other?

  Several other existing monitoring techniques and evaluations are recommended to carry out because of the mutual supporting, these are a needs assessment, process evaluation and cost-benefit evaluation. They are also needed to inform decisions about practice and policy. For example monitoring data can provide a good foundation for impact evaluation and an impact evaluation can guide the development of monitoring systems. Impact evaluations provides necessary information for cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness evaluations.

• 2 Why should we do impact evaluation?

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• Of which is depended what the best way is to undertake a particular impact evaluation?

  It's purpose and who it's primary intended users are play a role in what the best way is to undertake a particular impact evaluation.

• How show you that money is wisely invested?

  At least you make clear how the organization is learning what does and doesn't work, and is using this information to improve future implementation and investment decisions.

• What is internal accountability in the context of an NGO?

  Internal accountability is about having the purpose to being responsible to others and therefore the duty to be responsible for oneself. It's ensuring and showing that your organization is able to fulfill it's responsibilities.

• What is horizontal and downward accountability in the context of an NGO?

  Horizontal and downward accountability is after being responsible for oneself with the purpose to gain trust and carry responsibilities for your funders and governments a matter of sharing your responsibility with others. This is working with your peers and beneficiaries to ensure you fulfill your responsibilities well. Following the guidance notes you should also share your responsibilities with the communities.

• 3 What questions does impact evaluation seek to answer?

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• With what kind of questions do you gain insight on the subject 'overall impact'?

  Questions that give you an insight on the subject 'overal impact' are:
  - Did it work?
  Did [the intervention] produce [the intended impacts] in the short, medium and long term?
  - For whom, in what ways and in what circumstances did [the intervention] work?
  - What unintended impacts (positive and negative) did [the intervention] produce?