20513 - POLICY ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION

Policies are at the heart of local and national government actions. Ex ante and ex post evaluations are increasingly needed in order to both estimate the impact of public interventions and identify best practices for policy design. Qualitative and quantitative methods are currently adopted by public bodies and researchers to provide policy makers with consistent information on policy outcomes.

The course integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate projects and programs, from the European Commission evaluation procedures to cost-benefit analysis and difference-in-differences approaches. It explores both theoretical and applicative issues by alternating formal lectures, case studies discussions and computer sessions. In particular, cases from health policy, local development and environmental policies are thoroughly discussed with the help of data and common software packages.

• Make students familiar with the main tools of evaluation of projects and policies, as well as with strengths and weaknesses of quantitative methods.
• Review and discuss several case studies of policy evaluation and project appraisal meant to provide a broad picture of current international practice.

• Enable students to carry out autonomous evaluation research and practice by discussing projects and using common software packages.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Group assignments

The learning approach uses a blend of face-to-face lessons , case discussion, and interactive sessions with selected guest speakers.

The final exam assesses capacity of students to carry out autonomous evaluation research and practice by demanding the discussion of examples and cases.

They are indicated in class.