Policy makers rely on research evidence to make decisions concerning change of policies or introduction of new ones. Evaluation is both the beginning (what should be changed or introduced?) and the end (is policy effective and efficient?) of a policy process. This module aims to bridge the gap between research and policy with special focus on population and health equity. The module points out to the fundamental role of research in guiding policy by providing evidence for decision making and evaluating existing policies and interventions.

The main aims of the module include:

• Provide a shared understanding of the public policy components and discourses

• Introduce innovative ways for integrating an equity lens in public policies

• Present the tools for setting priorities

• Show the fundamental role of evaluation in guiding policy

At the end of Module IV participants are expected to:

• Understand the policy process

• Integrate an equity lens in policy decision making

• Recognize the methods and tools for disseminating research results to policy makers

• Recognize the relation between policy and evaluation

• Understand the evaluation process and methods

• Appreciate different options for planning and designing evaluations

• Understand the purpose of developing indicators and the criteria for their selection.

At the end of Module IV participants are expected to be capable of:

• Developing a policy brief

• Developing an evaluation work plan

• Developing indicators

• Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions

• Developing an evaluation proposal

At the end of Module IV participants are expected to develop computer skills using

• Spectrum
• ARCGIS
• EPI-INFO
• DevInfo

This module aims to introduce participants to the national and international policy discourses and paradigms. This part helps participant to integrate an equity lens in public policies, and covers the strategies for equitable welfare systems. It helps participants to develop policy relevant recommendations. It illustrates the ways of disseminating research results to policy and decision makers. The course emphasizes the link between evaluation and policy. This module is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of project/program evaluation. Module IV is designed to present three main topics:

This topic covers the policy cycle, process, components and discourses. The topic presents the use of population projections in social planning. It also introduces the geographic information system and its role in policy decision making. This part aids participants to develop policy relevant recommendations. It acquaints trainees with process, methods and tools used to dissemination research results to policy and decision makers.

This part of Module IV integrates an equity lens to public policies. It covers the equitable social and health policies. It explains the reasons and ways for targeting the poor and illustrates examples of poverty reduction strategies.

The topic introduces the project/program evaluation definition, concepts, models, approaches and focus. It covers the development of evaluation questions and designs. It illustrates the methods of developing and selecting indicators in general with special application to equity indicators. It explains the evaluation sampling techniques, data processing and analysis. Trainees are exposed to the means for measuring project/program effectiveness and efficiency. This part introduces the cost-effectiveness studies as measure for the efficiency of a project/program.

1. Written material that includes:

• Written exercises
• Assignments
• Policy brief
• Evaluation work plan
• Evaluation proposal

2. Formal oral professional presentations of

• Policy recommendations
• Evaluation work plan

3. Participation in open discussions

4. Computer application exercises