Core Course
The IPDET Core Course in Bern (Switzerland) will take place from July 6 to 10, 2026.
Is the Core Course on Fundamentals of Evaluation the Right Course for You? Take a Test!
We want to make sure that you choose the courses which best suit your specific needs. This depends on your experiences, knowledge and interest in evaluation. To check whether the core course on fundamentals of evaluation in the first program week is the right one for you, we highly recommend the following three steps:
Please carefully read the core course’s description, objectives and content on this page.
The Core Course is recommended for:
Type 1: You are new to the field and have no (or only very few) experience and knowledge in evaluation.
Type 2: You already have some practice in commissioning, managing, or conducting evaluations, but rather as learning by doing, and you are missing a profound and comprehensive overview.
Type 3: You gained some experience and knowledge in evaluation years ago, and you want to refresh it as you are starting to work in the field again.
If you can identify yourself with type 1, 2 or 3, then the Core Course is the right course for you! You might also want to check which workshops would additionally suit your needs in the second week. Go ahead and apply for both weeks!
Please click the link below to answer some questions and test your evaluation knowledge!
Self-test on evaluation knowledge (Prefill)
For each correct answer, you get one point. Count your achieved points.
0-14 points: The Core Course is perfect for you to gain a comprehensive overview of what evaluation is and how to do it. You might also want to check which workshops would additionally suit your needs in the second week.
15-17 points: You might consider participating in the Core Course, but you should once again carefully read the description on the website. You should also check which workshops in the second program week would suit your needs.
18-20 points: We recommend you do NOT participate in the Core Course as you obviously already have a profound knowledge base in evaluation. You should rather choose two workshops in the second program week.
If you still have doubts, please don’t hesitate to contact IPDET’s Head of Program, Candice Morkel, at [email protected].
Certificate
Participants will be awarded an official IPDET Core Course participation certificate.
Core Course Learning Objectives
The participants know
- about evaluation concepts, approaches and theories and their range of applications,
- the different phases of an evaluation and related tasks of evaluators and commissioners,
- how to scope and frame an evaluation,
- how to define fundamental conceptual evaluation aspects (like: purpose, objectives, criteria, etc.),
- about the influence of the social context on evaluations,
- standards of evaluation and how to take them into account when planning and conducting an Evaluation,
- about the designs, data collection and data analysis methods used in evaluation,
- the requirements for a “good” evaluation report and target group-oriented communication and dissemination,
- different kinds of use and how the use of evaluation results can be supported.
Recommended for
- Level: Participants with no or little prior knowledge and experience in evaluation.
- Position: Emerging Evaluators, mid-level and senior management, commissioners, policy makers, parliamentarians.
- Work environment: NGOs, Public Administration Institutions, bi- and multilateral development partners, Think Tanks, Universities, private firms.
- Objective: Participants gain a fundamental understanding of how to commission, manage, conduct and use evaluations.
Core Course Learning Outcomes
Module 1: Foundations and Purpose of MEL
Participants will be able to:
- Define key concepts, principles, and terminology of monitoring and evaluation
- Explain the objectives, purposes, and intended uses of evaluation
- Distinguish between formative and summative evaluation perspectives
- Describe major evaluation criteria and implementation options
- Explain the historical development and societal role of evaluation
- Identify key evaluation standards, quality criteria, and ethical guidelines
- Explain how evaluation contributes to learning, accountability, and decision-making processes
- Describe the role of evaluation within broader systems and policy environments
Module 2: Context of Evaluations
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze how contextual factors influence evaluation design and implementation
- Examine issues of equity, race, gender, and power in evaluation processes
- Explain the principles of culturally responsive and gender-responsive evaluation
- Identify and map key stakeholders and their interests in evaluation processes
- Assess how power dynamics influence evaluation scope and use
- Reflect on their positionality and role as evaluators
- Analyze how inequality, climate change, and political contexts shape evaluation priorities and outcomes
Module 3: The Evaluation Process
Participants will be able to:
- Outline the key stages of an evaluation process
- Assess the evaluability of programs and interventions
- Formulate evaluation scope and key evaluation questions
- Develop a Theory of Change for an intervention
- Differentiate between a Theory of Change and a logframe
- Prepare core elements of evaluation Terms of Reference and inception reports
- Analyze the difference between incremental and transformational change processes
- Identify potential unintended outcomes and system interactions when framing evaluations
Module 4: Theories and Evaluation Approaches
Participants will be able to:
- Compare major evaluation theories and approaches
- Classify evaluation approaches according to their methodological and theoretical foundations
- Select appropriate evaluation approaches for different contexts
- Assess strengths and limitations of different evaluation approaches
- Explain the relevance of systems-oriented and transformational evaluation approaches in complex development settings
Module 5: Evaluation Designs, Data Collection and Data-Analysis Methods
Participants will be able to:
- Design evaluation indicators aligned with evaluation questions
- Compare qualitative and quantitative data collection methods
- Select appropriate methods for different evaluation purposes
- Apply principles of triangulation in data collection and analysis
- Interpret evaluation data and evidence
- Apply mixed-methods approaches to evaluate complex change processes
- Identify potential biases and ethical risks in data collection and analysis
Module 6: Utilization and Reporting
Participants will be able to:
- Prepare clear and evidence-based evaluation reports
- Design communication strategies for different audiences
- Explain the purpose and process of management responses to evaluation findings
- Present evaluation findings in ways that support decision-making
- Analyze how evaluation findings influence policy and program decisions
- Promote the use of evaluation for organizational learning and institutional change
Note: To ensure the quality and relevance of the learning experience, IPDET may make adjustments to session topics, schedule, or instructors as needed.
>> Apply here <<
How to apply in 2 Steps:
1. Create an account or log in here
2. Under “My IPDET” please follow “APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM”
Booking possible only as long as seats are available!
“The Core Course organized in a systematic way the different purposes, views and processes of evaluation. It helped me clarify the broad spectrum of expectations and uses of evaluation.”
– Ligia Vasconcellos | Research Associate Insper Metricis | Brazil | IPDET 2019
“Attending IPDET did not only refine my M&E knowledge, but it also made me a member of a global M&E-family for professional networking, learning and supporting one another.”
– Mr. Godfrey Bwanika | Lecturer | Uganda Martyrs University | Uganda | IPDET 2018
