Tool: Assessment of Study Quality (ASQ)

This set of tools and templates support USAID’s commitment to improving the quality of the evidence base in education and the social sciences, including evidence generated through research and evaluation studies.

The Assessment of Study Quality (ASQ) Tool provides a common framework on the quality of research and evaluation studies, codifying best practices in designing, implementing, and reporting on studies. Social science researchers and evaluators may use the tool as guidance to identify what steps they need to take to ensure their study is of high quality and to identify what type of documentation to include in a report and its annexes to demonstrate that quality. Commissioners of social science research and evaluations may use the tool to guide their expectations of research and evaluation. Those who are interested in using the evidence generated through social science research and evaluation studies may use the tool to support their assessment of the quality of studies they reference.

The ASQ Tool includes a background and purpose section, a brief how-to section, a use case of application to systems-thinking approaches, a one-page checklist, and an extensive list of references with item descriptions and sources.

This short brochure explains how to use the tool, its purpose, and its structure. The video below introduces how the tool may be used by study teams, study commissioners, and evidence users.

Additional Resources: 

The Study Report Template is an optional tool to help improve consistency across Study Reports, including Assessment Reports, Evaluation Reports, Research Reports, and others. The template aligns with current USAID guidelines and policies as well as the ASQ Tool. When using this template, make sure all red text is deleted, and change all other text (headings, titles, body text, etc.) to your content.

The Study Design Template is an optional tool to help improve consistency across Study Designs, including Assessment Designs, Evaluation Designs, Research Designs, and others. The template aligns with current USAID guidelines and policies as well as the ASQ Tool. When using this template, make sure all red text is deleted, and change all other text (headings, titles, body text, etc.) to your content.

Please contact Elena Walls at ewalls@usaid.gov with any questions regarding the tool and its application.