DIaDeRC Chair Joins Others Experts to Organise Training on Impact Evaluation

With a view of equipping researchers in the area of Impact Evaluation using rigorous analytical tools such as randomised control trials (RCT), the Chair of DIaDeRC, Prof Evans Osabuohien, joins other experts in organising a workshop. The workshop is being organised as part of implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Covenant University and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA).

Participants for the workshop will be selected through a competitive concept note submission process. Each submission will be carefully evaluated based on the quality of the proposed project idea as well as the overall strength of the concept note.

Please review the guidelines and submission details provided below for the Impact EvaluationWorkshop concept note. Each concept note should adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Relevance: The concept note should align with a specific IPA sector or thematic areas, such as education, agriculture, health, social protection, or financial inclusion, and should clearly demonstrate a link to poverty alleviation, development, or social impact research.

2. Impact Evaluation Focus: The concept notes should specify whether the research intends to conduct a pilot or a rigorous full study. Pilot studies could include A/B testing, testing intervention uptake to refine power calculations, developing new measurement strategies or instruments, analysis of existing data, piloting survey questions, and refining the research logistics with the partner to make sure the research and program can be delivered as planned, and/or new data development collection. Full studies are impact evaluations that assess the causal effects of an intervention, program or policy. Projects must have a clear research question, well-defined research designs and statistical power estimates.

3. Research Design: We understand that not all participants may have advanced research skills, but the concept notes should incorporate a study design that addresses the key elements. This includes identifying both a treatment group and a comparison or control group. Researchers should also be open to refining their research design based on lessons and feedback from the workshop.

4. Research Experience: Researchers should have a proven background in conducting empirical research, preferably in the social sciences or related fields. Prior experience in designing and implementing research studies is highly valued.

5. Commitment and Availability: Researchers should be committed to fully participating in the workshop and the subsequent project development activities. They should be available and open to engaging in collaborative discussions and follow-up consultations with IPA.

Submission Guidelines

Participants are required to use the template provided by IPA to develop their research idea and submit it via the following Google Form.

The narrative in the research concept note should be approximately 1,000 to 1,500 words. Additionally:

a) Researchers can submit their concept notes as individuals or alongside their co-authors/team.

b) Researchers submitting their research ideas will be required to highlight key areas of assistance or need that can inform the focus of support during the workshop in the Google Form.

The submission deadline is EXTENDED to November 11, 2024, at 11:59 pm GMT+1WAT.

Workshop Format (In-Person)

Date: Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th November 2024

Time: 8:30am to 4pm (GMT+1)

Venue: CUCRID Building, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State

The workshop is FREE; however, selected participants will cover their travel and accommodation.

For any questions regarding this call, please contact bothpdnigeria@poverty-action.org and hodeconomics@covenantuniversity.edu.ng