Session+2


 * Week 2: The counterfactual **


 * Challenge 2**

//Participants need to be able to validly assess the impact of a a programme. Therefore it is important to rule out all other possible contributors to the change by obtaining a picture of the **counterfactual**, which is the situation that would have been observed if the programme had not been implemented. Participants should be able to discuss the counterfactual and determine the possible approaches that would be most appropriate in assessing impact.//


 * Learning Objectives: **


 * 1) Demonstrate why a control group is an important element of rigorous design.
 * 2) Explain experimental and non-experimental approaches to create a counterfactual in order to assess impact.
 * 3) Understand how the characteristics of a programme can influence the choice of approaches.
 * 4) Demonstrate how a mix of methods allow for a complete assessment of the impact of a programme.


 * Session 1: Self-guided e-learning lesson 2.1 "Overview of methods and approaches" : Duration: 45 minutes.**

Dear participant, in order to get familiar with the basic concepts of the importance of the counterfactual and the different methods to assess this you are kindly invited to complete the following self-guided e-learning module. The lesson reviews the main features of a rigorous impact assessment and the different methods and approaches. (Insert link towards the e-learning module)[|.][| Learner's notes] can be downloaded as well (cf. low bandwidth).


 * Session 2: Creating a counterfactual**

In order to design an impact assessment, you need to create a counterfactual. To do this, requires that you understand the details of the programme being assessed, including the eligibility requirements and the phase in of the programme. This lessons provides an overview of the issues in setting up a proper counterfactual and discusses the experimental and non-experimental approaches to doing so.

Uploading of a document based on the template questions. /*At the end of each week the participants will be asked to participate in a formative assignment that reviews the fundamental concepts of that week. Draft questions have been formulated on the Assignment template 2 counterfactual page to be answered based on the participant's chosen program or a case study.*/
 * Final assessment:**