Publication: Reconstructing Baseline Data for Impact Evaluation and Results Measurement
Date
2010-11
ISSN
Published
2010-11
Author(s)
Bamberger, Michael
Abstract
Many international development agencies
and some national governments base future budget planning
and policy decisions on a systematic assessment of the
projects and programs in which they have already invested.
Results are assessed through Mid-Term Reviews (MTRs),
Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs), or through more
rigorous impact evaluations (IE), all of which require the
collection of baseline data before the project or program
begins. The baseline is compared with the MTR, ICR, or the
posttest IE measurement to estimate changes in the
indicators used to measure performance, outcomes, or
impacts. However, it is often the case that a baseline study
is not conducted, seriously limiting the possibility of
producing a rigorous assessment of project outcomes and
impacts. This note discusses the reasons why baseline
studies are often not conducted, even when they are included
in the project design and funds have been approved, and
describe strategies that can be used to
'reconstruct' baseline data at a later stage in
the project or program cycle.
Citation
“Bamberger, Michael. 2010. Reconstructing Baseline Data for Impact Evaluation and Results Measurement. PREM Notes; No. 4. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11075 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”