Abstract: 

In order to draw evidence-based conclusions about publicly funded programmes and interventions, there is an interest in impact assessment. This Methodological Guide is meant to provide assistance on conducting evaluations of public initiatives focused on the provision of open digital textbooks. Such textbooks are in a digital format and made available publicly online. When funded through public funds, it becomes important to understand the possible costs and savings. Therefore, the Guide focuses on exploring the costs and savings associated with such initiatives, and on the other hand, estimating their impact on learning outcomes (e.g. exemplified as academic achievements). The Guide aims to be generic drawing on experiences gained from an independent evaluation of a Polish public program that produced open digital textbooks. Therefore, the methodology presented in this Guide can also be used to analyse programs focused on other types of digital content in education. The long-term aim of the Guide is to promote the proper evaluation of such initiatives in the future. 

We hope that this guide will be useful for states that are developing or planning to develop e-textbook programs.

Best,

Alek Tarkowski