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Rough Guide to Impact Evaluation of Environmental and Development Programs

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  • Subhrendu K Pattanayak

Abstract

This paper is a “rough guide” for evaluation of programs, projects and policies in the environment and development arena. First, a general overview of the what, how, and why of program evaluation, with particular emphasis on the role of control groups, pre and post measurement, and covariate data to define counterfactual scenarios (including formal definition of all terms) are provided. Second, a detailed review with examples of the four main methods for evaluation – randomized experiments, natural experiments, matching methods, and panel-based DID estimators with a description of the pros and cons of each method is given. Finally, the econometric evaluations within the broader context is placed– how can we move beyond estimation of average treatment effects; what do we do under time, resource and data constraints; and when and where should we rely on theory-based evaluations.

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  • Subhrendu K Pattanayak, 2009. "Rough Guide to Impact Evaluation of Environmental and Development Programs," Working Papers id:2187, eSocialSciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2187
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    Cited by:

    1. Bauch, Simone C. & Sills, Erin O. & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K., 2014. "Have We Managed to Integrate Conservation and Development? ICDP Impacts in the Brazilian Amazon," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(S1), pages 135-148.
    2. Kohlin, Gunnar & Sills, Erin O. & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K. & Wilfong, Christopher, 2011. "Energy, gender and development: what are the linkages ? where is the evidence ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5800, The World Bank.
    3. Mohebalian, Phillip M. & Aguilar, Francisco X., 2016. "Additionality and design of forest conservation programs: Insights from Ecuador's Socio Bosque Program," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 103-114.
    4. Patrick Bottazzi & Mirko S. Winkler & Sébastien Boillat & Abdoulaye Diagne & Mashoudou Maman Chabi Sika & Arsène Kpangon & Salimata Faye & Chinwe Ifejika Speranza, 2018. "Measuring Subjective Flood Resilience in Suburban Dakar: A Before–After Evaluation of the “Live with Water” Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, June.
    5. Brooks, N. & Bhojvaid, V. & Jeuland, M.A. & Lewis, J.J. & Patange, O. & Pattanayak, S.K., 2016. "How much do alternative cookstoves reduce biomass fuel use? Evidence from North India," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 153-171.
    6. Miteva, Daniela A. & Murray, Brian C. & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K., 2015. "Do protected areas reduce blue carbon emissions? A quasi-experimental evaluation of mangroves in Indonesia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 127-135.
    7. Reed, James & van Vianen, Josh & Foli, Samson & Clendenning, Jessica & Yang, Kevin & MacDonald, Margaret & Petrokofsky, Gillian & Padoch, Christine & Sunderland, Terry, 2017. "Trees for life: The ecosystem service contribution of trees to food production and livelihoods in the tropics," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 62-71.
    8. Patnaik, Unmesh & Das, Prasun Kumar, 2017. "Do Development Interventions Confer Adaptive Capacity? Insights from Rural India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 298-312.
    9. Gebrehiwot, Desta Brhanu, 2015. "Impact of Weather Index Insurance on Household Demand for Fertilizer in Tigray Region," MPRA Paper 94410, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    Keywords

    evaluation; environment; development area; econometric; natural and quasi experiments; resource; data constraints; data; theory; DID estimators; south asia;
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