Welcome to the CAP Project Online Modules on Cost Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Modules 1-5

Just-in-time learning to guide your cost analyses

About the CAP Project

Cost Analysis in Practice (CAP) Project is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. We provide free, on-demand tools, guidance, and technical assistance to researchers and practitioners who are planning or conducting economic evaluations to inform the delivery of education to students in the United States.

About the Online Modules

A set of 5 free, asynchronous, online modules walks you through the steps of designing a cost analysis, collecting and recording the data, analyzing the data to produce cost estimates, and reporting cost and cost-effectiveness metrics. You can choose whether to complete all the modules in sequence or simply use whatever resources you need, whenever you need them.

  • ARE THE CAP PROJECT ONLINE MODULES RIGHT FOR YOU?

    If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, then you may find these online modules beneficial, especially as you pursue funding opportunities for your research project or program.

    Use the arrow on the right to scroll through the questions.

  • QUESTION 1

    ?

    Are you preparing a grant proposal that requires a cost analysis or cost-effectiveness analysis?

  • QUESTION 2

    ?

    Are you planning, executing, supervising, or reviewing a cost analysis or cost-effectiveness analysis?

  • QUESTION 3

    ?

    Are you evaluating one or more educational programs, policies, or practices and needing to understand the resource requirements and costs of each one?

  • QUESTION 4

    ?

    Are you already a proficient cost analyst but interested in finding new tools and data collection instruments that you could adopt or adapt?

  • QUESTION 5

    ?

    Are you interested in learning about cost analysis and/or cost-effectiveness analysis?

  • Overview and Module Resources

    A roadmap of the 5 modules and what’s in each one. Resources that will be helpful across all modules.

  • MODULE 1: Intro to Cost Analysis

    What is cost analysis and why should you do it? How does it relate to other types of economic evaluation? What kinds of decisions can each type of analysis inform? What are the steps in conducting a cost analysis?

  • MODULE 2: Planning a Cost Analysis

    What decisions must be made to plan a cost analysis? This module walks you through the design of a cost analysis and helps you set up the analysis in a cost analysis template.

  • MODULE 3: Collecting Cost Data

    Learn where to gather existing data on resource use, how to adapt or design instruments to help you collect cost data, identify sources of local and national prices, and how to record data in a cost analysis template.

  • MODULE 4: Analyzing Cost Data

    Learn how to estimate the costs of ingredients. Understand when adjustments are needed to prices and costs, and how to make them. Use one of CAP Project’s Excel-based cost analysis templates to execute a cost analysis.

  • MODULE 5: Reporting Cost Analysis Results

    Review different ways of presenting results of your analysis for different audiences and venues. Use the Cost Analysis Standards Project template to assess how well a cost study meets standards.

What to Expect

  • Watch Videos

    Each module includes several short videos along with transcripts and slides to help you follow along.

  • Test Yourself

    Each module begins with a few teaser questions or a short task for you to attempt and ends with a self-assessment.

  • Stay Curious

    Be sure to spend time on the recommended readings and reviewing the additional resources to advance your knowledge.

  • Apply Your Learning

    Try out your new skills as soon as possible on a real cost analysis! Come back any time to brush up on specific tasks.

REGISTER TO ACCESS THE ONLINE MODULES

Meet the Instructors

  • Fiona Hollands, Ph.D.

    Founder & Managing Director
    EdResearcher

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  • Jaunelle Pratt-Williams, Ph.D.

    Senior Research Scientist
    NORC at the University of Chicago

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  • Robert Shand, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor
    American University

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