DEFINITION 1: Data that describe the situation to be addressed by a VET policy or programme and that serve as the starting point for measuring the performance of that policy or programme. […] This is used to determine the results and accomplishments of an activity and serves as an important reference for evaluation.
SOURCE: Adapted from Handbook on monitoring and evaluating for results. Evaluation office, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), N.Y, 2002.
DEFINITION 2: Baseline data establishes a foundation from which to measure change. Without baseline data, it is very difficult to measure change over time or to monitor and evaluate. With baseline data, progress can be measured against the situation that prevailed before an intervention.
SOURCE: UNDP (2009) Handbook on planning, monitoring and evaluating for development results, Bureau for Development Policy, Evaluation Office and Operation Support Group, New York, NY, USA.
RELATED TERMS: data collection, data collection instrument/tool, data quality