Project evaluation course

Lesson 1 • Defining Project Evaluation

Establishes what project evaluation is, why it exists, and how it differs from monitoring and auditing. Anchors all subsequent learning in a shared vocabulary.

Lesson 2 • The Evaluation Cycle Overview

Maps the full evaluation cycle from planning through reporting and use. Provides a roadmap that subsequent chapters will unpack in detail.

Lesson 3 • Evaluation Principles and Ethics

Introduces impartiality, transparency, utility, and ethical conduct as guiding principles. Grounds professional practice in standards recognised across sectors.

Lesson 1 • Theory of Change Fundamentals

Explains how a theory of change articulates causal pathways from inputs to long-term outcomes. Provides the conceptual backbone for designing any evaluation.

Lesson 2 • Aligning Framework to Evaluation Purpose

Guides selection and customisation of frameworks based on project type, scale, and stakeholder needs. Reinforces that no single framework fits all contexts.

Lesson 3 • Building Logic Models

Teaches construction of logic models showing inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Connects visual representation to measurable evaluation criteria.

Lesson 1 • Formulating Evaluation Questions

Covers the structure and hierarchy of evaluation questions from descriptive to causal. Well-formed questions determine the entire scope of an evaluation.

Lesson 2 • Developing Performance Indicators

Teaches construction of SMART indicators for outputs, outcomes, and impact levels. Indicators operationalise evaluation criteria into measurable data points.

Lesson 3 • Evaluation Scope and Boundaries

Establishes how to define what is and is not included in an evaluation to manage resources and focus. Prevents scope creep that undermines evaluation quality.

Lesson 1 • Quantitative Data Collection Methods

Covers surveys, structured observations, and administrative data extraction for numeric evidence. Quantitative methods provide breadth and statistical generalisability.

Lesson 2 • Designing Data Collection Instruments

Guides creation of questionnaires, interview guides, and observation checklists. Instrument quality directly determines data reliability and validity.

Lesson 3 • Mixed-Methods Approaches

Explains how to combine quantitative and qualitative methods for triangulation and completeness. Mixed methods strengthen credibility when single methods are insufficient.

Lesson 4 • Qualitative Data Collection Methods

Teaches interviews, focus groups, case studies, and document review for depth and context. Qualitative methods explain the why behind quantitative findings.

Lesson 1 • Sampling Strategies and Techniques

Explains probability and non-probability sampling methods and their appropriate applications. Sampling decisions affect the generalisability and credibility of findings.

Lesson 2 • Baseline and Endline Study Design

Guides design of baseline and endline studies to measure change over a project period. Proper baseline design is essential for credible impact measurement.

Lesson 3 • Non-Experimental Evaluation Designs

Teaches pre-post, cross-sectional, and longitudinal designs for contexts where experiments are infeasible. Clarifies the trade-offs in causal attribution for each design.

Lesson 1 • Attribution and Contribution Analysis

Addresses how to attribute observed changes to project activities versus external factors. Accurate attribution is central to credible impact claims.

Lesson 2 • Quantitative Analysis Techniques

Covers descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and regression analysis for evaluation data. Quantitative analysis transforms raw data into measurable evidence of change.

Lesson 3 • Interpreting Findings in Context

Teaches contextual interpretation by linking data patterns to project theory and environment. Findings without context lead to misleading conclusions and poor decisions.

Lesson 4 • Synthesising Mixed Evidence

Guides integration of quantitative and qualitative findings into coherent conclusions. Synthesis resolves contradictions and strengthens the overall evidence base.

Lesson 1 • Writing Clear Findings and Recommendations

Teaches evidence-based writing of findings and actionable, prioritised recommendations. Recommendations must be specific, feasible, and linked to evidence.

Lesson 2 • Data Visualization for Evaluation

Guides selection and design of charts, tables, and infographics to present evaluation data. Effective visualisation accelerates stakeholder understanding of complex findings.

Lesson 3 • Communicating with Diverse Audiences

Addresses tailoring messages, formats, and language for technical, managerial, and community audiences. Audience-appropriate communication maximises evaluation use.

Lesson 1 • Evaluation Quality Standards

Introduces professional quality standards and meta-evaluation as tools for assessing evaluation rigour. Quality standards protect credibility and guide continuous improvement.

Lesson 2 • Organisational Learning from Evaluation

Addresses how organisations embed evaluation findings into strategy, programming, and culture. Sustained learning requires systems, incentives, and leadership commitment.

Lesson 3 • Budgeting and Resource Planning

Covers cost estimation, resource allocation, and trade-offs in evaluation budgeting. Realistic budgets prevent under-resourced evaluations that produce unreliable findings.

Lesson 4 • Evaluation Utilisation Strategies

Covers instrumental, conceptual, and process use of evaluation findings. Utilisation must be planned from the start, not treated as an afterthought.