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Step 4: Data Collection – Malaria Case Management SBCC

Malaria Case Management SBCC M&E: Step by Step

Step 4: Data Collection

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Health programmers use qualitative and quantitative research to monitor and evaluate their programs. The choice of whether to use quantitative or qualitative data collection techniques, or a mixed methods approach using both, depends on a number of factors, such as:

  • The type of problem identified and outcome being assessed (some issues are best assessed with qualitative, some with quantitative)
  • The theory guiding design
  • The purpose of data collection. For example, is the assessment for formative research, monitoring or process evaluation, or impact evaluation?

 

Quantitative data collection is numerical and is often used to count the variable of interest. Quantitative data collection tools used for monitoring include program logs, attendance sheets, and other tools that collect counts for referrals made, referrals completed, tools developed, products distributed, workshops conducted, broadcast, number of RDTs completed, number of ACTs prescribed etc. Quantitative data collection for evaluation purposes can be surveys, censuses and health records. Quantitative studies can be designed to be representative of the entire population of interest so that the findings are generalizable, and reflective of the entire population – not just those individuals included in the study. For malaria case management, for example, quantitative data might use a household survey to count the number of people who recall seeing or hearing a message about prompt care seeking for fever. Another example of a way to use of quantitative data would be to count how many people believe something or behave a certain way. 

From an SBCC evaluation standpoint it is important to measure reach and exposure of materials and messages among the intended population. Once you have measured exposure, it is possible to measure changes in knowledge and behavior among those exposed or unexposed. It is also helpful to measure how many messages respondents recall. An effective SBCC campaign will show a dose response, or a strong correlation between the number of messages recalled and increases in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Note that when attempting to show a dose response between exposure to messages and increases in knowledge, attitudes, or behavior, it is important to control for ownership of commodities related to your messaging. For example, it would be inappropriate to compare exposure to radio messages among those who do and do not own radios.

Examples of Quantitative Data Sources
Dose Response Analysis: Caution

 

How-To Guide Guidance on how to develop a monitoring and evaluation plan

Download M&E Plan Template

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