Making social sciences useful to society: challenges and practices of programme evaluation

Review

No prior training in evaluation methods is required. The course provides a conceptual and practical introduction that draws on different social science traditions. It pays particular attention to the fit between the policy question and the evidence used to answer it, to the assumptions and uncertainty behind empirical claims, and to the fact that evaluation also involves choices about values, criteria and use.

Program

This intensive course introduces Master’s and PhD students to policy and programme evaluation as a form of applied social science. Evaluation is not treated as a single method. It combines empirical inquiry, judgement and the use of knowledge in order to assess, understand and improve public action. The course asks four linked questions: What does it mean to evaluate a public policy ? How can we know whether it works and why ? Against what criteria should it be judged ? How can evaluation findings be used in public decision making ?

Module 1: What does it mean to evaluate a public policy ?
Module 2: How do we know whether a policy works, and why ?
Module 3: What counts as success ? Values, criteria and indicators.
Module 4: From evaluation to policy: how is knowledge actually used ?

Trainer

Pratical information

-→ Register directly using the LIEPP’s online form before the 6th of december: https://forms.gle/uH8kzY9UbCY44kz59

-→ Apply on AMETHIS. Once your registration is confirmed by the LIEPP, the training’s department will confirm your registration on AMETHIS.

For further information about LIEPP, please contact andreana.khristova@sciencespo.fr (secretary general of LIEPP).