Course Overview

To promote data-driven decision making, professionals must be able to analyze, integrate, interpret, and synthesize data into actionable information. Achieving this requires both technical skill and thoughtful sensemaking. It becomes especially challenging in mixed methods evaluations, where data from multiple sources are collected and analyzed by different team members, often at different times.

This course introduces the DAIS approach, a collaborative and structured method for turning fragmented findings into a clear and cohesive narrative. Through DAIS, teams can move confidently from data collection and analysis to evidence-based conclusions and actionable recommendations. The approach helps ensure that final deliverables reflect what the data are truly saying.

Participants will work on real-world case studies and practice each stage of the DAIS process, apply it to their own work, and consider how to tailor the approach across different evaluation settings and team structures.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply the DAIS approach to integrate and synthesize data across sources
• Develop clear and credible findings grounded in collaborative analysis
• Move from findings to conclusions and actionable recommendations
• Structure evaluation or research products with a strong narrative arc
• Adapt the DAIS method to different types of teams, data, and contexts

Course Format

The course includes two live, online, instructor-led sessions (or one day in-person). Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Module Breakdown

Module 1: Overview, Steps, and Getting to Findings

This session introduces the DAIS method and explains its relevance through a case study. Participants will learn how to prepare key analysis summaries, structure their contributions, and work together to develop balanced findings across multiple data sources. Throughout the module, they will explore ways to apply the method to their own evaluation or research context.

Module 2: Getting to Conclusions, Recommendations, and a Strong Evaluation Product

The second module focuses on translating findings into well-grounded conclusions and actionable recommendations. Participants will continue the case study, develop a cohesive narrative arc, and consider how the DAIS approach can be adapted to different settings. The session also offers guidance for producing clear, credible, and user-focused evaluation products.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Professionals who work with complex or mixed methods data
• Researchers, evaluators, or analysts involved in team-based studies
• Team leads responsible for finalizing data-driven deliverables
• Anyone seeking to improve the quality and clarity of their findings

Prerequisites

No prior experience with the DAIS approach is required. All course materials will be provided.