What is the key characteristic that distinguishes a 'policy impact assessment' from a simple policy evaluation?

The key characteristic distinguishing a policy impact assessment from a simple policy evaluation lies in their primary purpose and scope. A *policy evaluation* primarily assesses whether a policy achieved its stated objectives and how effectively it did so. It focuses on *outcomes*, which are the direct results of a policy’s implementation. For example, a policy evaluation of a job training program might measure the percentage of participants who found employment within six months of completing the program. It asks: 'Did the program work as intended?' Evaluations often use methods like comparing outcomes for participants versus a control group (those who didn't receive the training) to determine if the policy caused the observed changes. They typica....