Description

This course aims to offer a double opportunity: i) to help improve the understanding of how better data can help design more effective public policies and ii) to brush up on your core data skills. The course covers aspects related to the interpretation, analysis, and presentation of data of direct relevance to the SDGs and more broadly national and sectoral policies aimed at ensuring sustainable and inclusive development. It introduces these topics using concrete examples of data use and public policy context from around the world. The course reviews both traditional and non-traditional data sources and discusses their uses, as well as the opportunities and challenges presented by the latter. It uses a combination of story-telling, examples, videos and hands-on exercises to tailor to a variety of learners.

Before you start the course, you will be invited to take a short survey and read this syllabus. The course is organized in 5 modules. Module 1 serves as an introduction, discussing the role of data in evidence-based policy-making. It is followed by Modules 2 and 3 that aim to strengthen learner’s competencies related to interpreting and assessing the fitness for purpose of data and communicating with data telling stories with tables and graphs. Module 4 provides comprehensive coverage of various data sources and discusses how they can be leveraged for policy design. Module 5 covers the aspects related the use of data in policy formulation and monitoring and evaluation from policy perspective. Each module is followed by a module test. After you have completed 5 modules, you will be invited to take the final assessment and complete the feedback questionnaire.

• Short introductory survey
• Module 1. Statistical literacy
• Module 2. Interpreting and assessing the fitness for purpose of data
• Module 3. Communicating with data
• Module 4. Data sources for SDG indicators
• Module 5. Policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation
• Final assessment
• Feedback survey