Core Course
The 2025 Core Course takes place in the first week of the On-Site Program in Bern, Switzerland (July 7 – 11) as well as in Nairobi, Kenya (November 3 – 7).
Is the Core Course on Fundamentals of Evaluation the Right Course for You? Take a Test!
We want to make sure that you choose the courses which best suit your specific needs. This depends on your experiences, knowledge and interest in evaluation. To check whether the core course on fundamentals of evaluation in the first program week is the right one for you, we highly recommend the following three steps:
Please carefully read the core course’s description, objectives and content and watch the video below on this page.
The Core Course is recommended for:
Type 1: You are new to the field and have no (or only very few) experience and knowledge in evaluation.
Type 2: You already have some practice in commissioning, managing, or conducting evaluations, but rather as learning by doing, and you are missing a profound and comprehensive overview.
Type 3: You gained some experience and knowledge in evaluation years ago, and you want to refresh it as you are starting to work in the field again.
If you can identify yourself with type 1, 2 or 3, then the Core Course is the right course for you! You might also want to check which workshops would additionally suit your needs in the second week. Go ahead and apply for both weeks!
Please click the link below to answer some questions and test your evaluation knowledge!
Self-test on evaluation knowledge (Prefill)
For each correct answer, you get one point. Count your achieved points.
0-14 points: The Core Course is perfect for you to gain a comprehensive overview of what evaluation is and how to do it. You might also want to check which workshops would additionally suit your needs in the second week.
15-17 points: You might consider participating in the Core Course, but you should once again carefully read the description on the website. You should also check which workshops in the second program week would suit your needs.
18-20 points: We recommend you do NOT participate in the Core Course as you obviously already have a profound knowledge base in evaluation. You should rather choose two workshops in the second program week.
If you still have doubts, please don’t hesitate to contact IPDET’s Head of Program, Candice Morkel, at candice.morkel@unibe.ch.
Certificate
Participants will be awarded an official IPDET Core Course participation certificate.
Core Course Learning Objectives
The participants know
- about evaluation concepts, approaches and theories and their range of applications,
- the different phases of an evaluation and related tasks of evaluators and commissioners,
- how to scope and frame an evaluation,
- how to define fundamental conceptual evaluation aspects (like: purpose, objectives, criteria, etc.),
- about the influence of the social context on evaluations,
- standards of evaluation and how to take them into account when planning and conducting an Evaluation,
- about the designs, data collection and data analysis methods used in evaluation,
- the requirements for a “good” evaluation report and target group-oriented communication and dissemination,
- different kinds of use and how the use of evaluation results can be supported.
Recommended for
- Level: Participants with no or little prior knowledge and experience in evaluation.
- Position: Emerging Evaluators, mid-level and senior management, commissioners, policy makers, parliamentarians.
- Work environment: NGOs, Public Administration Institutions, bi- and multilateral development partners, Think Tanks, Universities, private firms.
- Objective: Participants gain a fundamental understanding of how to commission, manage, conduct and use evaluations.
Core Course Content
Module 1: Introduction and Overview
Participants know about
- the definitions, leading principles and concepts of M&E
- the fundamental evaluation aspects to be defined:
- objectives, purposes, tasks, intended use
- perspective (formative, summative)
- assessment criteria
- implementation (internal, external)
- the origin and purpose of evaluation in society
- quality criteria, standards, code of conduct.
Module 2: Evaluation Process
Participants
- know the steps of an evaluation process
- understand the crucial function of the planning phase for assuring high quality evaluations
- are acquainted with relevant aspects of the implementation phase
- gain knowledge on adequate communication and other factors that affect evaluation use
- understand the concept of use and its importance in evaluation
Module 3: Framing and Scoping the Evaluation
Participants know
- how to frame the boundaries of an evaluation
- identify an evaluation object
- how to assess whether an intervention can be evaluated (assessment of evaluability)
- how to write Terms of Reference
- how to develop a Theory of Change
- the difference between a TOC and a logical framework
- how to develop key evaluation questions
- the purpose and the elements of an inception report
Module 4: Theories and Evaluation Approaches
Participants
- know the difference between theories and approaches
- know that evaluation approaches can be classified differently
- know different evaluation approaches
- are able to clarify different evaluation approaches
- know the strengths and weaknesses of different evaluation approaches
- have an idea about which evaluation approaches are appropriate for which tasks
Module 5: Overview of Designs, Data Collection and Data-Analysis Methods
Participants understand
- the role of different forms of evaluation design and indicator development
- the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of using data collection methods and the need for triangulation
- the opportunities of data analysis and interpretation and its limitations
They will be exposed to the following questions:
- Evaluation Designs: What must be „designed“ in an Evaluation?
- Data Collection: How can we collect data during an Evaluation?
- Sampling: How many cases are necessary for appropriate answers?
- Data Analysis: How can we analyse the data collected during an Evaluation?
- Interpretation: What do the results mean for the evaluation question?
Module 6: Context of Evaluations
Participants
- Understand the importance of context in evaluation: how contextual issues influence an evaluation, and how evaluations may influence context
- Reflect on advocacy, equity, race, gender and power and why these are important contextual issues in evaluation
- Understand culturally responsive and appropriate, equitable and gender-responsive evaluations
- Understand the importance of stakeholder mapping and how to identify stakeholder groups and their interests
- Describe how interest and power might characterize stakeholder groups and influence an evaluation
Module 7: Utilization and Reporting
Participants understand
- the role of effective reporting and communication of evaluation results to support evaluation use
- principles and elements of effective communication and dissemination strategies
- the importance of and approaches to initiating management responses
"The Core Course organized in a systematic way the different purposes, views and processes of evaluation. It helped me clarify the broad spectrum of expectations and uses of evaluation."
"Attending IPDET did not only refine my M&E knowledge, but it also made me a member of a global M&E-family for professional networking, learning and supporting one another."
