2017 ICT4D Conference

With any data collection effort, it is first crucial to understand what the data needs are, as well as who the end users are. Knowing this information will allow you to create a data collection approach and pick the best-fit methods to get the data you need, in the time allotted, from the people identified, and share it with the end users in the way expected. The best-fit methods may be traditional in-person methods, may be quantitative or qualitative, may lend themselves to introducing a technology-based solution, or may be a rapid appraisal method. Without knowing why the data is needed and for whom, the methods selected are not likely to give the information needed.

Though a technology enabled solution may often be a cheaper and faster way to reach more people, are you introducing bias into the sample you reach through the collection method itself? A critical question to ask yourself is: Are you reaching who you need to collect information from? Even if the cost per respondent is lower than other options, if you are not reaching the populations you need to get information from, then the savings will be much less important.

At QED we are always on the lookout for how to incorporate new technologies for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). Recognizing the pros and cons, we will talk about some of the disadvantages and advantages of a few recent examples. Audience participation is encouraged!