Data and information for economic evaluation of social interventions
This short guide explains the data and information needed to estimate a “return on investment” for a social intervention, using the principles of social cost-benefit analysis. This involves measuring and comparing the benefits and costs of the intervention in dollar terms. Good data is the key to make this kind of analysis possible, and data requirements need to be considered early, ideally when interventions are being designed and implemented.
This guide describes the key components of economic or “return on investment” analysis for social interventions and outlines the data and information that need to be collected to support each part. A little early planning for data collection to measure outcomes and impacts of the intervention will make it much easier to do a robust and credible economic evaluation.