Taster training: Measuring causal impact

Understand the role of causality in evaluating impact

This free, one-hour webinar will introduce the importance of establishing causality in evaluation and provide a whistle-stop tour of commonly used causal evaluation methods.

We will explore how different evaluation approaches can help us understand whether an intervention has led to a particular outcome, including the role of the counterfactual – that is, what would have happened without the intervention.

The session will introduce key evaluation methods, including pre-post designs, quasi-experimental designs (QEDs), randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and theory-based evaluation. We will also consider how implementation and process evaluation can complement quantitative impact evaluation to build a fuller picture of how and why interventions work.

For those interested in developing their skills further, we will introduce TASO’s upcoming paid-for training on causal evaluation and RCTs.

What you’ll learn

• Understanding causality: Explore why establishing causality matters when evaluating the impact of interventions and the importance of considering what would have happened without them.
• Common evaluation methods: Gain an introduction to pre-post designs, quasi-experimental designs, RCTs and theory-based evaluation, and understand how these approaches relate to causality.
• The role of the counterfactual: Understand how counterfactual reasoning helps evaluators assess whether observed changes can be attributed to an intervention.
• Looking beyond impact: Discover how implementation and process evaluation can complement quantitative impact evaluation and help explain how and why interventions work.
• Opportunities to develop your skills: Find out more about TASO’s upcoming paid-for training on causal evaluation and RCTs, and explore resources to support your evaluation practice.

Who is this training for?

This brief training is designed for practitioners and evaluators who have some familiarity with basic evaluation methods (theory of change, pre-post designs) and want to start incorporating causality in their work. 

It is also designed for attendees who may be interested in attending TASO’s paid training for RCTs and want to learn more about causality and causal methods. 

It is best suited to:

• people with a basic understanding of evaluation who want to develop their understanding of causal methods and RCTs
• individuals involved in the design, management or evaluation of programmes in educational contexts
• widening participation practitioners interested in using causal methods and RCTs in future evaluations

Participants should already be familiar with basic evaluation principles and methods. No prior experience of conducting causal evaluations is required.

Why attend?

• Build your understanding: Gain an accessible introduction to causality and its importance in evaluating the impact of higher education interventions.
• Explore evaluation approaches: Develop a clearer understanding of how commonly used evaluation methods address questions of causality.
• Strengthen your evaluation practice: Learn why considering both impact and implementation can support more meaningful evaluation findings.
• Take your learning further: Discover TASO’s resources on causal evaluation and find out how our upcoming RCT training can help you develop your knowledge and skills in greater depth.

Want to learn more about causal methods?

Join us on 8 and 15 December for a two-part training course to help you deepen your understanding of causal evaluation methods, with a particular focus on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).