BigCat Research

Independent research company for social impact analysis

The social impact measurement market has two distinct provider types: consultancies without a research field operation, and field companies with weak measurement methodology. BigCat Research combines both: data collected through field capacity, reported with theory of change and an explicit evidence level.

Evidence level: The measurement each impact claim rests on, whether a baseline exists and the comparison logic must be written openly. Activity counts are not impact evidence.

Field access: Reaching the target group (youth, women, farmers, blue-collar, rural) determines measurement quality. Without a field operation, measurement stays limited to reachable participants.

Independence: An independent measurement is stronger evidence for funders and management than a program implementer measuring its own impact.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a social impact analysis take?

It depends on the program’s existing measurement data, access to the target group and the method mix. For programs with a baseline, measurement areas are built in from the start; for post-hoc studies, evidence review, field measurement and reporting are planned instead.

How is the SROI ratio calculated?

Stakeholders are mapped, an input-output-outcome chain is built, social value is monetized through financial proxies; deadweight, attribution and drop-off assumptions are written explicitly and tested with sensitivity analysis. The ratio is reported together with its assumption set.

Can impact be measured for a program without a baseline?

Yes, but the evidence level differs: retrospective recall, comparison groups or secondary data build an approximate value. This limitation is stated openly in the report.

Can we submit the report to funders?

Yes. The report is built with an explicit theory of change, indicators, evidence level and limitations. In that form it works for funder reporting, corporate CSR communication and management decisions.

Which program types do you work with?

Impact analysis and evaluation run across youth, women entrepreneurship, financial literacy, education, early childhood, agriculture and rural development, post-disaster recovery and local government programs.