Quantitative Methods in Evaluation

In the evidence-driven environment of development organizations, NGOs, governments, and international institutions, quantitative methods are essential tools for assessing program effectiveness, guiding decision-making, and ensuring accountability. This course strengthens your ability to design, analyze, and interpret data-driven evaluations using quantitative techniques.
 
You will learn how to construct robust quantitative research designs, develop and apply measurement instruments, manage datasets, and interpret statistical results in evaluation settings. By engaging with real-world evaluation studies, you'll sharpen your skills to translate quantitative findings into actionable insights for program improvement and strategic planning.
 

What You Will Learn & Be Able To Do
 

• Design quantitative evaluations: selecting appropriate research designs (e.g. experimental, quasi-experimental) and sampling strategies

 

• Build reliable measurement instruments: crafting surveys, indicators, and questionnaires

 

• Use descriptive statistics to summarize and visualize data (mean, median, mode, variation, distributions)

 

• Conduct inferential analyses: t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, correlation, and basic regression

 

• Interpret results from secondary datasets and evaluation studies: assess effect sizes, significance, and programmatic implications

 

• Communicate quantitative findings effectively to stakeholders and integrate results into program decision-making

 

Why This Course Matters for Professionals
 
In monitoring and evaluation (M&E), quantitative skills are in high demand - organizations need staff who can not only collect data, but also rigorously analyze it and apply insights. Through this course, you'll gain tools that are directly relevant in roles such as M&E officer, program analyst, policy evaluator, or impact consultant.
 

Format
 

• Delivered in a virtual format with asynchronous modules and weekly live sessions

 

• Students must attend at least 3 of 7 synchronous sessions

 

Please note that Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation and Program Design for Monitoring and Evaluation are prerequisites for this course. Students who would like to receive special consideration to join this course without enrolling in the full Certificate should contact Michelle D'Amico at mcd231@nyu.edu.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 3

You'll walk away with

• An understanding of quantitative methods for use in program evaluation
• The ability to understand and communicate the results of your data analysis
• The skills to develop basic quantitative research designs
• Knowledge of the basic principles of survey design and implementation

Ideal for

• Professionals interested in the field of monitoring and evaluation
• Students pursuing the Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation