Follow steps 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A if you are conducting this Needs Analysis with support from a trained measurement and evaluation specialist. This individual should have the knowledge and skills to help you pull representative samples from the general CHW population, develop and pilot specific data collection instruments, and conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on the collected data in order to answer your investigative questions.
If you do not have the support of measurement and evaluation specialists, please follow steps 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B in the box to the right for Low M&E Resource Setting – Adapted Success Case Approach.
At a Glance
In Step 3A, you will create a plan for gathering the data needed to answer the investigative questions developed with your Steering Committee and key stakeholders.
Tools to Help
Who is Involved
The M&E Specialist should create the plans with input from the Facilitator and approval from the Steering Committee.
Output
Move on to the next step when you have a full plan for data collection, including data sources, methods of collection, storage and access for analysis.
1 How to Get Started
Here are a series of steps to kick things off:
- Sort the completed Question Matrix from Step 2 by audience and save the result of each sort in a document titled with the name of each group or data source.
- For each group or data source, are there already existing sources of data concerning this group? For example, have recipients of CHW services been interviewed already over the past few months? Are there any systematic data sources, such as regular exit interviews with patients or statistics on how many patients are seen by each CHW? How often is this data collected? By whom?
- If there is any documentation that already captures information on the right topics from the identified individuals consider accessing that data first, before planning for unique data collection that will consume additional time and resources.
- Flag those items that will require specific data collection from each data source population.
2 Next
Consider the size of each group of individuals you would like to gather data from. Where are they located and what resources are available to reach them for collecting data? Use the Sampling Overview document to think through all of the issues associated with outreach to each of the individuals or sources that will provide data.
Important!
Whether you are using the High M&E Resource Setting or Adapted Case Study method, please ensure that the health workers you are gathering data from remain ANONYMOUS. It is critical that your sources of data feel they can be honest and frank about their successes and challenges without fearing for potential repercussions. You can assign numbers and/or letters as identifiers for each health worker that is surveyed or interviewed throughout the process.3 Then
Review the Data Collection Considerations tool, and identify the opportunities and constraints associated with each population that will provide data to answer your questions.
4 Finally
Use the conclusions you reach through these steps to complete a Data Collection Planning Worksheet that you can share with your stakeholder Steering Committee for input and buy-in. Your Committee can be instrumental in helping you collect data in a low-cost and time-efficient manner by ensuring access and support from the individuals involved.
Adapted Success Case Approach
Steps 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B are for those who do not have measurement and evaluation technical support and are unable to conduct representative sampling, data instrument development, data collection and analysis without it. To provide the best possible evidence of needs without the traditional, robust methods, we suggest using an adaptation of Robert O. Brinkerhoff’s Success Case Method. Originally designed to evaluate the impact of training interventions, this method will allow for a high level overview of current performance. It will also allow you to collect evidence on what factors might be supporting or diminishing performance.
At a Glance
In Step 3B, you will edit the draft data collection plan for use in your situation.
Tools to Help
Who is Involved
The Facilitator of the needs analysis and members of the Stakeholder Steering Committee.
Output
Move on to the next step when you have a full plan for applying the Adapted Success Case Method.
1 How to Get Started
Review the Adapted Success Case Overview to become familiar with the two phases of the approach. Work with Steering Committee members to identify the full population of CHWs to be included in Phase 1 of the study. If your needs analysis is local or regional, consider including all members of the population in the initial phase. If the study is national or over large regions, you may want to choose a representative sample—either random or purposive depending on your areas of concern and Investigative Questions.
Important!
Whether you are using the High M&E Resource Setting or Adapted Case Study method, please ensure that the health workers you are gathering data from remain ANONYMOUS. It is critical that your sources of data feel they can be honest and frank about their successes and challenges without fearing for potential repercussions. You can assign numbers and/or letters as identifiers for each health worker that is surveyed or interviewed throughout the process.2 Next
Consider the logistics of delivering the Phase 1 Survey to your chosen population—either in self-administered questionnaire format through such tools as Google Forms or using physical forms distributed geographically and collected for data entry and analysis. If your target group is small enough you may choose to deliver the Phase 1 Survey via Skype or phone instead. Because this is a brief survey face-to-face engagements are not cost effective unless subjects are immediately nearby.
3 Then
Assess the resources available to conduct the Phase 2 case interviews. Are individuals available to focus on this for the time needed? Are there any gender issues that might arise during the interview and what can be done to alleviate them? Is there administrative support available to assist with scheduling? These interviews can take place over any medium—internet, phone or in person. If travel is required, how will it be supported? If you interview CHWs during their work day, is compensation required? How will you inform supervisors in clinical settings, who may need to plan accordingly for the CHW’s absence for 20-30 minutes during the interview session?
4 Finally
Use the conclusions you reach through these steps to complete a Data Collection Planning Worksheet that you can share with your stakeholder Steering Committee for input and buy-in. Your Committee can be instrumental in helping you collect data in a low cost and time efficient manner by ensuring access and support from the individuals involved.
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