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William Jack
Economic development is a process of trial and error, innovation and experimentation, success and failure. Given the right institutions, some not unfavorable resource endowments, and a bit of luck, incomes can grow, health can improve, and human development can flourish; other times, things don’t turn out so well.
Read more
Economic development is a process of trial and error, innovation and experimentation, success and failure. Given the right institutions, some not unfavorable resource endowments, and a bit of luck, incomes can grow, health can improve, and human development can flourish; other times, things don’t turn out so well.
Read more
Economic development is a process of trial and error, innovation and experimentation, success and failure. Given the right institutions, some not unfavorable resource endowments, and a bit of luck, incomes can grow, health can improve, and human development can flourish; other times, things don’t turn out so well.
Given the urgency of development challenges, it is imperative that we learn quickly from our mistakes and build robustly on our successes. The hope is that by understanding what kinds of innovations and policies “work” to improve the lives of the deprived and vulnerable, and how they work, we might be better placed to accelerate the process of development more generally. But how can policy makers and international development practitioners be sure they’re “making a difference?”
This course was created collaboratively by Georgetown University and the World Bank's Strategic Impact Evaluation Fund with support from the Georgetown Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, Georgetown University Initiative of Innovation, Development and Evaluation (gui2de), and The Open Learning Campus of the World Bank Group.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/k94u3n/impact
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Define impact evaluation and recognize its importance.
- Describe the importance of randomization and the problems that can arise in randomized controlled trials (rcts).
- Identify statistical concepts and tools for program evaluation.
- Interpret the concept of regression and how it informs rct results.
- Illustrate the balance between sample size and cost of trial.
- Explain the value and application of quasi experimental methods
- Define impact evaluation and recognize its importance.
- Describe the importance of randomization and the problems that can arise in randomized controlled trials (rcts).
- Identify statistical concepts and tools for program evaluation.
- Interpret the concept of regression and how it informs rct results.
- Illustrate the balance between sample size and cost of trial.
- Explain the value and application of quasi experimental methods
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Learners will be able to measure the causes and effects of public policy programs
Taught by William Jack, recognized expert in economic development
Explores the general idea of economic development and its effects on human life
Teaches learners about economic development, which is applicable for development practitioners
Provides resources from a top institution, such as Georgetown University and the World Bank
May not be ideal for learners with zero experience in economy
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Reviews summary
Rigorous impact evaluation for development professionals
According to students, this course offers a rigorous and comprehensive introduction to impact evaluation methods, highly relevant for those working in low- and middle-income countries. Learners consistently praise the clarity of lectures, the expertise of instructors from Georgetown and the World Bank, and the course's strong real-world applicability through practical examples. While students find the content challenging and rewarding, a common point of caution is the expectation of a solid statistical and econometrics background, as the course moves at a demanding pace. Some also wished for more hands-on data practice.
Taught by highly knowledgeable professionals.
"The instructors are top-notch, clearly experts in the field."
"Outstanding content! The course is expertly delivered by Georgetown and World Bank staff."
"The instructors are very knowledgeable."
Directly applicable to development challenges.
"I particularly liked the real-world examples from low- and middle-income countries; they made the concepts truly come alive and applicable to my work..."
"The focus on real-world application in LMICs is unparalleled."
"As someone working in program management for an NGO in Africa, the specific focus on LMICs was incredibly useful."
"The emphasis on practical examples from developing countries was a major plus."
Provides a rigorous understanding of evaluation techniques.
"This course was exactly what I needed to deepen my understanding of impact evaluation. The lectures were incredibly clear, especially on randomized controlled trials (RCTs)."
"A very thorough course on impact evaluation. It covers all the essential methods, from RCTs to quasi-experimental designs."
"The course is expertly delivered... I gained a solid foundation in the principles of impact evaluation, which is directly relevant to my current research."
"Absolutely essential for anyone in international development or public policy. The course demystifies complex topics like regression and causal inference."
More theoretical, less hands-on data exercises.
"The lectures were sometimes too theoretical for my taste, and I wished there were more practical exercises or software demonstrations."
"I would have appreciated more hands-on practice with data, but the conceptual understanding provided is excellent."
"I struggled to see the direct application without diving deep into external resources."
Assumes a solid background in quantitative analysis.
"A strong statistical background is definitely a plus, as it moves at a good pace."
"My main challenge was the statistical intensity; while I have a basic understanding, some parts required me to do extra self-study on econometrics."
"I found it quite difficult to follow without a strong background in statistics. It assumes a lot of prior knowledge, especially in regression analysis."
"I struggled without a strong statistics background; it moves quickly."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Impact Evaluation Methods with Applications in Low- and Middle-Income Countries with these
activities:
Review basic probability and statistics
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with basic statistical concepts and the principles of hypothesis testing to strengthen your understanding of impact evaluation methods.
Browse courses on
Probability
Show steps
-
Revisit core concepts in introductory statistics textbooks or online resources
-
Review probability distributions, central limit theorem, and sampling
-
Practice solving basic statistics problems
Show all one activities
Review basic probability and statistics
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with basic statistical concepts and the principles of hypothesis testing to strengthen your understanding of impact evaluation methods.
Browse courses on
Probability
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Revisit core concepts in introductory statistics textbooks or online resources
- Review probability distributions, central limit theorem, and sampling
- Practice solving basic statistics problems
Show all one activities
Career center
Learners who complete Impact Evaluation Methods with Applications in Low- and Middle-Income Countries will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
International Development Officer
International Development Officer
International Development Officers work on projects to improve the lives of people in less developed countries. They plan and manage programs, evaluate their impact, and work with local communities and governments to ensure that projects are sustainable. This course would provide you with the skills you need to evaluate the impact of your projects and ensure that they are making a real difference in the lives of the people you are trying to help.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies to determine their effectiveness and impact. They use data and evidence to develop recommendations for improving policies and programs. This course would help you develop the skills you need to analyze the impact of public policies and make recommendations for improvement.
Public Health Researcher
Public Health Researcher
Public Health Researchers conduct research on public health issues to identify risk factors, develop prevention strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs. This course would provide you with the skills you need to evaluate the impact of public health programs and develop evidence-based recommendations for improving public health.
Social Impact Investor
Social Impact Investor
Social Impact Investors invest in companies and organizations that are working to solve social and environmental problems. They use their investment capital to create a positive impact on society and the environment. This course would provide you with the skills you need to evaluate the impact of social investments and make investment decisions that maximize social impact.
Development Economist
Development Economist
Development Economists conduct research on economic development and poverty reduction. They use their research to inform policy and program decisions aimed at improving the lives of people in developing countries. This course would provide you with the skills you need to evaluate the impact of economic development programs and make recommendations for improving their effectiveness.
Global Health Advocate
Global Health Advocate
Global Health Advocates work to improve the health of people around the world. They work with governments, organizations, and communities to promote access to healthcare, improve health outcomes, and reduce health disparities. This course would provide you with the skills you need to evaluate the impact of global health programs and advocate for policies that improve health equity.
Climate Policy Analyst
Climate Policy Analyst
Climate Policy Analysts research and analyze climate change policies to determine their effectiveness and impact. They use data and evidence to develop recommendations for improving policies and programs aimed at mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects.
Environmental Economist
Environmental Economist
Environmental Economists conduct research on environmental issues to identify the economic costs and benefits of environmental policies and regulations. They use their research to inform policy and program decisions aimed at improving environmental quality.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations to improve their sustainability performance. They work with clients to develop and implement sustainability strategies, assess environmental and social impacts, and report on sustainability progress.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies for businesses and organizations. They work with stakeholders to identify social and environmental issues, develop CSR programs, and measure the impact of CSR initiatives.
Program Manager
Program Manager
Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate programs and projects. They work with stakeholders to develop program goals and objectives, create budgets, manage staff, and track progress.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, implement, and evaluate projects. They work with stakeholders to develop project goals and objectives, create budgets, manage staff, and track progress.
Research Analyst
Research Analyst
Research Analysts conduct research on a variety of topics. They collect data, analyze information, and draw conclusions to answer research questions.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to extract insights and inform decision-making.
Statistician
Statistician
Statisticians develop and apply statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work in a variety of fields, including public health, education, and business.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/k94u3n/impact
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Impact Evaluation Methods with Applications in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
Provides a clear and concise introduction to econometrics. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in learning more about econometrics.
Save
Provides a clear and concise introduction to research design and causality. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in learning more about research design and causality.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to econometric analysis of cross-section and panel data. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in learning more about econometric analysis of cross-section and panel data.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to microeconometrics. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in learning more about microeconometrics.
Save
Provides a practical guide to impact evaluation in developing countries. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in learning more about impact evaluation in developing countries.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of social program evaluation. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners who are interested in learning more about social program evaluation.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/k94u3n/impact
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Rating
5.0
Effort
3 to 5 hours per week for 24 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Georgetown University
Instructor
William Jack
Language
English
Transcript
English
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