Mixed methods research and evaluation are critical to international development professional and practitioner roles across all specialisms. Yet undertaking this method of research and evaluation on complex issues can be challenging. Which is why we’re pleased to announce that the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network (CPAN) is offering a specialist professional course on mixed methods – within a poverty and inequality context.

The new, live, online short course “Mixed methods research and evaluation: addressing poverty and inequality in a complex, fast-changing world” will run this October, and is facilitated by CPAN’s deputy director Vidya Diwakar.

Why should I study this course?

While there are other courses available on conducting and applying quantitative analysis, and some on qualitative methods; this new course from IDS is unique as it:

• Has poverty and inequality as its context and focus.

• Improves the critical understanding and application of mixed methods design, data collection, integrated analysis and communication to inform policy and programming on poverty and inequality.

• Enables its use for more holistic research and evaluations of policy and programming, and to deepen knowledge on less visible drivers of poverty and inequality amidst contexts of complex, rapid change.

• Identifies and overcomes common challenges and pitfalls in design, data collection, analysis, and communication.

• Brings together highly experienced professionals in Bangladesh, the UK, and Zambia with decades of experience in co-constructing, conducting and delivering mixed methods research and evaluations on poverty and inequality in multi-disciplinary teams, delivered through IDS – the number 1 ranking institute in the world for development studies.

To find out who the expert guest facilitators are, as well as more about the course content, visit the course webpage.

We’ve designed the course with busy international development practitioners and professionals in mind. So, we offer an accessible format mixing online interactive, live, tailored sessions – with flexible offline content – over a period of one month.

Read more about the course context, how you’ll study – as well as if it’s relevant to your work, on the IDS website. Here you’ll also see information on course fee discounts and can find out if you are eligible.

If you have any questions, you can contact the course convenor Vidya Diwakar directly, or contact the dedicated IDS short courses team.

The application deadline for this new course is 4 September 2023. So don’t miss out – secure your place on the course.