Name: Prince Mayor Mutikani

Student No: L0248401A

Course Name: Data Collection Methods (HSME 1109 )

Lecturer: Ms P Moyo

Assignment: With reference to practical programming scenarios, discuss key issues which
influence the selection of data collection methods for monitoring and evaluation [25]
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plays a vital role in assessing the progress and impact of
projects, programs, and plans. Monitoring is defined as an ongoing process by which
stakeholders obtain regular feedback on the progress being made towards achieving their
goals and objectives(FAO, 2001). Evaluation is a rigorous and independent assessment of
either completed or ongoing activities to determine the extent to which they are achieving
stated objectives and contributing to decision making(Gerochi and Alarkon, 2015). To carry
out effective M&E, reliable and relevant data is essential. Data collection, the process of
gathering and measuring information on variables of interest(Mazhar et al., 2021), empowers
researchers and program planners to answer key questions and evaluate program outcomes.
Consequently, data collection methods must be carefully selected, taking into consideration
various factors that can influence the process. This essay examines the key issues that
influence the selection of data collection methods in practical programming scenario’s,
purpose of the evaluation, time efficiency, sample size, safety and security of the
researcher/respondents , target population the availability of expertise. By understanding and
addressing these issues, organizations can ensure that their monitoring and evaluation efforts
are based on robust and comprehensive data, leading to informed decision-making and
improved program outcomes.

Purpose of the evaluation.

Every evaluation has set of questions that it aims to answer. To be able to answer these
questions appropriate data collection tools are required. For example, a summative evaluation
might aim to assess the impact of a health education program on behaviour change the main
research question would be “did participants adopt healthier behaviours as a result of the
program”? Surveys conducted before and after the programme are an appropriate way to
gauge how programme participants' behaviour has changed. This approach can yield
quantifiable results and enables the quantitative examination of behaviour change. If an
evaluation aims to identify how recipients of programme perceive it, an appropriate
methodology to get people’s perception on a particular programme would be conducting
focus group discussions or in-depth interviews.

Time Efficiency

Every research has a timeline on when data should be collected analysed to inform decision
making. Hence some data collection methodologies are time efficient whilst others are not. In
the event of an outbreak of an unfamiliar and urgent disease, researchers may choose to
employ interviews to swiftly gather data from affected individuals. This approach is favoured
over questionnaires, as the latter may significantly prolong the data collection process and
impede the timely resolution of the pressing issue at hand. Interviews offer a more expedient
and direct means of obtaining essential information from victims, enabling researchers to
swiftly acquire critical insights into the nature, symptoms, and progression of the disease. By
engaging in direct dialogue with affected individuals, researchers can elicit immediate
responses and gain a comprehensive understanding of the disease, thus facilitating prompt
decision-making and the implementation of necessary interventions. Consequently,
interviews serve as a valuable tool in rapidly addressing emergent diseases, ensuring that
crucial data is swiftly gathered and enabling timely responses to mitigate the impact of the
outbreak.

Sample Size

Sample size is the number of observations or individuals included in a study or

experiment(Lakens, 2022).Basically these individuals are selected to represent a population.
Number of study participants may determine or influence the type of data collection tools that
will be used in a particular research/evaluation. For example, interview and focus group
discussions are ideal then the sample size is small whilst questionaries are ideal when a
sample size is large as they allow the research to get feed back in a short period of
time(König and Dreßler, 2021).

Safety and security of the researcher/respondents.

One crucial consideration in term of selection of data collection methodology is the potential
risk to the life and well-being of both the researcher and the respondents. In certain situations,
such as during a pandemic like Covid-19, data collection methodologies that involve face-to-
face interactions, such as in-depth interviews or surveys conducted in person, may pose a
significant risk of contracting and spreading the virus(Mwita, 2020). This violation of ethical
considerations, particularly the principle of doing no harm to study participants, necessitates
the exploration of alternative data collection methods. In such cases, online surveys or remote
data collection methodologies become favourable options. Online surveys can be conducted
through electronic platforms, enabling researchers to collect data without physically
interacting with the respondents. This approach significantly reduces the risk of exposure and
transmission of infectious diseases, ensuring the safety and well-being of both parties
involved.
Target population

The target population is the group of individuals that the intervention intends to conduct
research in and draw conclusions from(Zhao et al., 2013). For example, a intervention may
aim to improve the quality of life of elderly people in rural, and the time to evaluate the
program has arrived, appropriate data collection need to be selected considering that the
elderly population in rural areas may face challenges in terms of accessibility and mobility.
Therefore, it would be important to choose a data collection method that minimizes the need
for travel and physical effort. For instance, conducting face-to-face interviews at the
participants' homes or in a nearby community centre could be more suitable than expecting
them to travel to a central location.

The availability of expertise

Certain M&E methodologies, such as Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) or Qualitative

Comparative Analysis (QCA), require advanced statistical knowledge and expertise(Grover
and Vriens, 2006). These complex methodologies may provide more rigorous and nuanced
insights, but they can be impractical for organizations that lack the necessary skills and
expertise to design and implement them. In such cases, simpler methods that align with the
available expertise may be more appropriate.

In conclusion they are several key considerations that should be made when selecting a data
collection method in Monitoring and Evaluation so that the two activities yield information
that is credible, utilised in the decision-making process by project management, relevant
stakeholder and that provide opportunity for learning. These issues include the purpose of the
evaluation, time efficiency, sample size, safety and security, target population characteristics,
and the availability of expertise. The purpose of the evaluation drives the selection of data
collection methods, as different research questions require different tools and approaches.
Time efficiency is crucial to ensure that data is collected and analysed within the designated
timeline. Sample size determines the feasibility of certain methods, with interviews and focus
group discussions being suitable for smaller sample sizes, while questionnaires are more
efficient for larger sample sizes. Safety and security considerations are essential, particularly
in situations where face-to-face interactions may pose risks. Alternative methods like online
surveys or remote data collection can ensure the well-being of all parties involved. The
characteristics of the target population, such as accessibility and mobility, should also be
considered when selecting data collection methods. The availability of expertise within the
organization or research team is a critical factor. Complex methodologies may require
advanced skills and knowledge, making them impractical if the necessary expertise is
lacking. It is important to choose methods that align with the available expertise to ensure the
quality of data collection and analysis.
References

FAO (2001) Monitoring and Evaluation for learning and performance

improvement | Investment Learning Platform (ILP) | Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations. Available at: https://www.fao.org/investment-learning-platform/themes-
and-tasks/monitoring-and-evaluation/en/ (Accessed: 10 March 2024).

Gerochi, R.R.D. and Alarkon, M.F.C. (2015) ‘Monitoring & evaluation guidebook’. Available
at: https://repository.unescap.org/handle/20.500.12870/5312 (Accessed: 14 March 2024).

Grover, R. and Vriens, M. (2006) The Handbook of Marketing Research: Uses, Misuses, and
Future Advances. SAGE.

König, A. and Dreßler, A. (2021) ‘A mixed-methods analysis of mobility behavior changes in

the COVID-19 era in a rural case study’, European Transport Research Review, 13(1), p. 15.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-021-00472-8.

Lakens, D. (2022) ‘Sample size justification’, Collabra: psychology, 8(1), p. 33267.

Mazhar, S.A. et al. (2021) ‘Methods of Data Collection: A Fundamental Tool of Research’,
Journal of Integrated Community Health (ISSN 2319-9113), 10(1), pp. 6–10.

Mwita, K. (2020) ‘Effects of corona virus pandemic (covid-19) on selected human resource
management practices in Tanzania’, East African Journal of Social and Applied Sciences,
2(2), pp. 252–260.

Zhao, L. et al. (2013) ‘Effectively Selecting a Target Population for a Future Comparative
Study’, Journal of the American Statistical Association, 108(502), pp. 527–539. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.2013.770705.