Economic Development and Impact Evaluation

Course Description

This course, offered by GeorgetownX in collaboration with the World Bank's Strategic Impact Evaluation Fund, delves into the fascinating world of economic development and impact evaluation. It explores the complex process of trial and error, innovation, and experimentation that drives economic growth and human development. The course aims to equip learners with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand and evaluate the effectiveness of development policies and interventions.

What You Will Learn

• The fundamentals of impact evaluation and its significance in development economics
• The importance of randomization in controlled trials and potential challenges
• Statistical concepts and tools for program evaluation
• Understanding and interpreting regression analysis in the context of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
• Balancing sample size and trial costs in research design
• The value and application of quasi-experimental methods in impact evaluation

Prerequisites

This is an introductory-level course with no specific prerequisites. However, a basic understanding of economics and statistics would be beneficial.

Course Content

• The process of economic development and its challenges
• Introduction to impact evaluation methods
• Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and their implementation
• Statistical tools and concepts for program evaluation
• Regression analysis and its interpretation in RCTs
• Sample size considerations and cost-benefit analysis in research design
• Quasi-experimental methods in impact evaluation
• Real-world case studies and examples from various development sectors

Who Should Take This Course

• Policy makers and international development practitioners
• Students of economics, development studies, and related fields
• Professionals working in NGOs, government agencies, or international organizations
• Anyone interested in understanding how to measure the impact of development interventions

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course have numerous practical applications:

• Designing and implementing effective development programs
• Evaluating the impact of existing policies and interventions
• Making data-driven decisions in policy-making and program management
• Improving resource allocation in development projects
• Contributing to evidence-based policy discussions
• Enhancing the effectiveness of poverty reduction and human development initiatives
• Applying rigorous evaluation methods to various sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and microfinance