Our methodology
Impact evaluation implementation models
Swissocial uses two approaches for implementing impact evaluations: Certification and Verification.
"Certification Model"
1.
In the certification model, Swissocial undertakes all the processes necessary to carry out the impact evaluation. Under this model, Swissocial:
- A) Hires a team of independent evaluators who carry out the surveys;
- B) Performs the data entry and analysis in a data bank.
2.
The institution for which the impact evaluation is being conducted is only required to inform, obtain consent from and provide access to the beneficiaries being surveyed.
"Verification Model"
Under the verification model, the institution is responsible for collecting and entering the necessary data at each stage of the impact evaluation. Swissocial equips the institution with the capacity to undertake this by transferring to the institution the methodologies used in the evaluation, as well as the know-how necessary for its correct application. Swissocial also accompanies the institution throughout the process.
Below are the responsibilities and activities of each party under this model:
1.
Swissocial:
- A) Designs, customizes and validates the questionnaires for data collection;
- B) Trains a team of collaborators from the institution, and gives instructions for the data collection;
- C) Provides supervision to ensure that the procedures and evaluations are carried out according to the norms set by Swissocial;
- D) Performs data verification and auditing.
2.
The institution:
- A) Proceed to collect the necessary data, both for the establishment of the baseline and for the successive evaluations.
- B) Enter the data in the database provided by Swissocial.
Training of the institution’s team is carried out over a four-day workshop to build the capacity of the team to correctly apply Swissocial’s methodology.
Swissocial oversees the data collection conducted by the institution, both for the baseline and subsequent impact measurements, to ensure that high-quality data is being collected. To validate the accuracy of the data collected, Swissocial conducts a random sample verification.