What is the primary focus of impact evaluation?

The primary focus of impact evaluation is to measure the outcomes of a program. This type of evaluation aims to determine the changes that can be attributed directly to the program activities, assessing whether the intended effects—such as improved health, educational attainment, or economic conditions—have been realized as a result of the program’s implementation.

Impact evaluation employs various methods, such as experimental designs, quasi-experimental approaches, and statistical analyses, to isolate the effects of the program from other influencing factors. This allows evaluators to make informed conclusions about the program’s effectiveness and its impact on the target population.

Comparatively, examining the implementation of a program relates more to process evaluation, which focuses on how well the program was delivered and whether it was carried out as intended. Assessing participant satisfaction addresses perceptions and feelings about the program rather than the concrete changes that the program caused. Determining the costs of program delivery pertains to cost-effectiveness analysis, which evaluates the financial aspects and resource allocation rather than the direct outcomes of the program itself. Thus, the emphasis on measuring outcomes distinctly defines the role of impact evaluation within the broader framework of program evaluation.