A micro-level outcomes evaluation of a skills capacity intervention within the South African public service: Towards an impact evaluation

Abstract

Orientation: Interest in measuring the impact of skills development interventions has increased in recent years.

Research purpose: This article reports on an outcomes evaluation under the ambit of an impact assessment with reference to a research methodology workshop.

Motivation of the study: A paucity of studies could be found measuring the workshop outcomes, especially within the public service as it pertains to training interventions.

Research approach/design and method: A pretest–post-test research design was implemented. A paired-sample t-test was used to measure the knowledge increase while controlling for the influence of previous training by means of an analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis.

Main findings: Results indicated that the increase in research methodology knowledge was statistically significant. Previous training influenced the model only by 0.8%, which was not statistically significant.

Practical/managerial implications: It is recommended that the suggested framework and methodology be utilised in future research as well as in monitoring and evaluation endeavours covering various training interventions.

Contribution/value add: The study provides evidence of the impact generated by a training intervention, within the South African Public Service. Thus, addressing a research gap in the corpus of knowledge.