My Communities

its very important to have ethical considerations during the process of collecting, managing, analyzing and storing data. Firstly, it is advisable for the participant to consent to the collection of the data, and on the part of the M&E officer, ensure that the data collected in made anonymous and is kept confidential to prevent any potential harm to the participant.

The "Do No Harm" principle is an ethical principle that guides data collection activities with the intention of minimizing any potential harm or negative consequences to individuals or communities involved in the data collection process. It emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations, respect for privacy, and ensuring the well-being and safety of participants.

When collecting data, the "Do No Harm" principle entails several key aspects:

1. Informed Consent: Prior to collecting data, consent should be obtained from individuals or communities participating in the data collection process. They should be fully informed about the purpose, methods, and potential risks or benefits associated with the data collection.

2. Privacy and Confidentiality: Data collectors must ensure the confidentiality and privacy of the collected data. Personal identifying information should be protected, and data should be stored securely to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.

3. Minimizing Harm: Efforts should be made to minimize any potential harm or negative impact on individuals or communities during the data collection process. This includes avoiding sensitive or intrusive questioning, ensuring cultural sensitivity, and respecting the boundaries and well-being of participants.

4. Data Use and Dissemination: Data should be used only for the intended purposes and should not be shared or disseminated in a way that could cause harm or violate privacy rights. Anonymization and aggregation techniques can be employed to protect the identity of individuals or communities when sharing data externally.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation should be conducted throughout the data collection process to assess any potential harm or unintended consequences. This allows for adjustments to be made to mitigate risks and ensure the ethical handling of data.

Adhering to the "Do No Harm" principle helps to establish a responsible and ethical approach to data collection, ensuring the protection and well-being of participants while maintaining the integrity and quality of the data being collected.

Ensuring that your M&E practices cause no harm to participants, stakeholders, or other people is crucial for ethical and responsible conduct. Here are some considerations for achieving this:

Participant Experience: Carefully design data collection processes to be respectful of participants' time and comfort. Avoid unnecessarily large, time-consuming, or stressful procedures. Strive for simplicity and clarity in the data collection process to enhance participants' experience.

Informed Consent: Prioritize obtaining informed consent from participants. Clearly communicate the purpose of data collection, how their information will be used, and any potential risks involved. Be transparent about the study or project, and ensure participants have the option to withdraw their consent at any point.

Legal and Ethical Compliance: Understand and adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines, especially when working with vulnerable populations. This is particularly crucial in areas such as medical research or studies involving children, prisoners, or individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Anonymity and Confidentiality: Honor promises of anonymity and confidentiality. If data cannot be linked back to individuals (anonymous) or is accessible only to authorized personnel (confidential), it helps protect participants from potential harm. Safeguarding sensitive information is essential for maintaining trust.

Equity Considerations: Be mindful of the potential impact of your data on existing social inequities. Analyze how your data might be interpreted or used by others, especially considering the broader social and political context. Avoid contributing to stereotypes or reinforcing biases that may harm specific groups.

This is an insightful piece on what should be considered before, during, and after engaging participants in any data collection exercise.

what is Do No Harm?

An approach which helps to identify unintended negative or positive impacts of humanitarian and development interventions in settings where there is conflict or risk of conflict. It can be applied during planning, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure that the intervention does not worsen the conflict but rather contributes to improving it. Do No Harm is considered an essential basis for the work of organizations operating in situations of conflict.

The activity of data collection can harm both the data collector and the participant if not handled ethically well. However in most cases, the participants experience the severe harm in ways such as losing their jobs, trust of their colleagues or even organization and even segregation at work. The data collector also faces problems such being regarded as incompetent in the the professional area in which he or she operates hence affecting their career.

The "Do no harm" principle reigns supreme in ethical M&E data collection as it requires safeguarding individuals and communities from potential negative impacts throughout the Data collection and usage process.

Protecting privacy, avoiding exploitation, and minimizing psychological harm are crucial for individual well-being. For communities, preventing misrepresentation, exacerbating inequalities, and disrespecting cultural sensitivities are critical. Implementing the "Do no harm" principle requires informed consent, anonymity options, voluntary participation, and culturally sensitive methods.

Training data collectors, conducting ethical reviews, and prioritizing data security further bolster this principle. Ultimately, "Do no harm" ensures not only ethical data collection but also builds trust and maintains the validity of your information.

Yes, indeed. The data released by my hypothetical organization could be used by political opponents for malicious intent. Political opponents could further undermine the concerned low-status group. It, therefore, is absolutely imperative that my organization explicitly exculpates itself from potential interpretations or inferences that may be drawn by third parties from the data it has released by attaching appropriate disclaimers in that regard. Additionally, as the data collected by my organization is likely to cause economic or reputational damage to participants, it is cardinal to ensure that informed consent is obtained from prospective participants prior to collecting data.

The data collected from such group of people should be anonymus and confidential as they might not be safe and their reputation may be damaged by releasing the information publicly.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices are essential for assessing the effectiveness and impact of programs and projects. Ensuring that these practices cause no harm to participants, stakeholders, or other people involves careful planning, ethical considerations, and a commitment to safeguarding the well-being of those involved. Here are some key principles and strategies to help minimize harm in M&E practices:

Ethical Guidelines and Standards:

Adhere to established ethical guidelines and standards for research and evaluation, such as those provided by professional organizations or regulatory bodies.
Obtain informed consent from participants, ensuring they fully understand the purpose, risks, and benefits of the evaluation.
Participation and Inclusion:

Involve participants and stakeholders in the design and planning of the M&E process to ensure their perspectives are considered.
Prioritize inclusivity and cultural sensitivity to avoid marginalizing or excluding certain groups.
Do No Harm Principle:

Apply the "do no harm" principle, which emphasizes minimizing negative impacts on individuals and communities.
Consider the potential unintended consequences of the evaluation and take steps to mitigate them.
Confidentiality and Anonymity:

Safeguard the confidentiality and anonymity of participants by using coding systems, aggregating data, and storing information securely.
Clearly communicate how data will be used and shared, assuring participants that their information will not be used against them.
Risk Assessment:

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential risks and challenges associated with the evaluation.
Develop strategies to mitigate or address identified risks, and have contingency plans in place.
Benefit Sharing:

Communicate the potential benefits of the evaluation to participants and stakeholders.
Ensure that any positive outcomes or learnings from the evaluation are shared transparently with the community.
Capacity Building:

Build the capacity of local stakeholders to participate in and understand the evaluation process.
Provide training and support to ensure that participants are well-informed and able to engage effectively.
Continuous Feedback Mechanisms:

Establish mechanisms for ongoing feedback from participants and stakeholders to address concerns and make necessary adjustments.
Foster open communication channels to address issues as they arise.
Cultural Sensitivity:

Be culturally sensitive and respect local customs, values, and norms throughout the evaluation process.
Consult with local experts to better understand the context and potential cultural implications.
Accountability and Transparency:

Clearly communicate the goals and objectives of the evaluation to all involved parties.
Be transparent about the methods used, findings, and limitations of the evaluation.
By integrating these principles and strategies into your M&E practices, you can help ensure that your evaluation efforts are conducted ethically and with a commitment to minimizing harm to participants, stakeholders, and other people involved. Regularly reassess and adapt your approach based on feedback and changing circumstances

Do Not Harm, knowingly or unknowingly while you are in the Process of M^E mostly in the Data Collection Activities.

The Collected Data must not be used in any ways or should not be leaked and fell into parties who can use it on their own way to get benefit politically / financially or may track and harm people associated with the Data or the Data Collector.

Intentionally one should not do it and we need to make sure that even unintentionally we / it must not create any harm to others.

Honesty is most important.

As humanitarians, we must never forget to be ethical in discharging our various duties. We work in a sensitive environment, and so we must ensure to prioritize our participants safety when collecting and using their data, which is in accordance with the Do No Harm ethical principle.

From the discussion point, it is clear that ethical matters are critical in data collection as seeing from the notes. The Do No Harm has discussed very important issues such as ensuring that the participants are not harmed in the process of data collection by the following; easy data collection (reduce on the volume of data to be collected - reduces stress), anonymous of participants - participants identities must be confidential, and avoid where data might exacerbate existing inequalities among the sections of the communities.

I do agree that sometimes the data collection tool can be too long and the respondents withdraw in the middle. This will result in incomplete data leading to poor quality data.
There is also need for proper training of enumerators on these ethical issues.

Handling data responsibly, especially when it involves sensitive information about marginalized or low-status groups, is crucial to avoid perpetuating harm or reinforcing stereotypes. When dealing with such data, ethical considerations are paramount. Here are some principles to guide responsible data release in this scenario:

1. Privacy Protection:
   Ensure that the data released does not compromise the privacy of individuals within the group.
   2.Ethical Review:
   Seek input from ethicists or conduct an ethical review of the decision to release the data.
   Consider the potential harm and benefits of the data release.
   By adhering to these principles, organizations can strive to release data responsibly, promoting transparency, protecting privacy, and avoiding further harm to vulnerable groups. It's essential to prioritize ethical considerations over short-term political or public relations gains.

So, how can you ensure that your M&E practices cause no harm to participants, stakeholders or other people?

Consider the experience of your participants.

Think about the people from whom you are collecting data. What is the experience of providing data like? Is it stressful and confusing or simple and intuitive? Is it time-consuming or efficient?

Unfortunately, all too often, organizations design data collection processes that are too large, time-consuming or stressful.

One common example of this phenomenon is academic testing. In an effort to understand whether academic programs are working, many school systems around the world have implemented standardized tests. However, as the length and number of these tests have grown, some people have become concerned that children now spend too much time preparing for tests and too little time participating in other worthwhile activities. The measurement instrument, according to some, is damaging the educational experience of the participants.

Ensure that all participants give informed consent to collect and use their data.

In the past, many people have participated in studies without understanding the risks involved. As a result, these people have suffered.

This is why it is so important to ensure that the people you are collecting data from understand exactly what they are agreeing to participate in.

Depending on the type of data that you are collecting, there may be particular laws or regulations with which you need to comply. Rules for obtaining informed consent can be particularly complex when you are doing medical research or working with vulnerable populations like children, prisoners or the intellectually disabled.

Ensure that, when appropriate, participant data is kept anonymous and confidential.

Data is anonymous if it cannot be linked back to the individual who provided it. Data is confidential if it can only be accessed by those who have permission.

Often, when we collect information from individuals, we promise that the data will be kept anonymous and confidential. This helps us collect information about topics that people might otherwise not want to discuss.

It is extremely important that we keep these promises.

Releasing highly sensitive information, such as health, sexual or political information, can damage an individual’s reputation or safety. Even information that may not seem sensitive, such as addresses or ages, can cause harm if it is released. Imagine, for example, that you release the names and addresses of your beneficiaries. Individuals who might want to harm your beneficiaries could use your data to locate them.

Identify and avoid potential areas where your data may exacerbate existing inequities.

Even if you are extremely careful about collecting and presenting accurate data without any prejudice, there is no guarantee that the people who read about your data will be so careful. This is why you should always consider how others might use your data. Could it be used to cause harm to others?

For example, imagine that your organization is working with a low-status group of individuals. People belonging to this group are often blamed by politicians for local problems. Your data suggests that some of the people belonging to this group have committed crimes. Could the data that you release be used by political opponents to further damage this group of people?

Help me understand how to present data.

You should not intentionally or unintentionally cause physical or emotional harm to the people affected by your work. you should also honor the dignity and wellbeing of individuals.

In the context of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), "DO NOT HARM" refers to a principle that emphasizes the importance of ensuring that interventions or programs do not cause unintended negative consequences or harm to individuals, communities, or the environment. It is a guiding ethical principle that underscores the responsibility of organizations and practitioners to carefully consider the potential risks and unintended side effects of their actions.

When implementing projects, policies, or programs, monitoring and evaluation processes should be designed not only to assess the positive impacts but also to identify and mitigate any potential negative effects. This involves a proactive approach to minimize harm, protect the well-being of the target population, and avoid exacerbating existing challenges or creating new problems.

The "DO NOT HARM" principle aligns with the broader ethical considerations in development work, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the social, cultural, and environmental context in which interventions take place. This principle encourages practitioners to prioritize the well-being and rights of the affected individuals and communities throughout the project lifecycle.

In this Module I have learnt that Do No harm means to honor the dignity, well being and self worthy of individuals you are dealing with during a field study or any data collection exercise undertaken by your organization or any other organizations,I also learnt on practice's that ensures not to cause any harm to the individuals interviewed,These are;
1.Consider experience of your participants
2.Ensure to keep participants data Confidential and anonymous.
3.Always obtain Consent from the individual before interviewing them.
4.Identify and avoid potential areas where your data may be misused by third parties to cause harm to individuals.

Do No Harm is the key component in M&E especially when you want to collect data. As we have read in this module, to respect the responders' honor and dignity. the other important thing making the participants ensure that collecting data are fully confidential and never being shared except by the permission holder. I think it should be considered during data collection. As we all know, participation in the surveys are fully optional, we have to deal with them in good manner.

The principle of DO NO HARM plays a key and vital role in ensuring that data collection, analysis and use does not cause harm either to those it was collected from and/or those it will be applied to.

Consent and experience of participants is very important to take note during your data collection process.

It's true,
I remember the time I worked as an enumerator for a certain organisation. The first thing I used was to educate or sensitise the communities about our project and why we needed data from them. Then, I can ask them if I can collect data from them, and some of them could even decline my request. The problem which have observed so far is that some enumerators they do not know the ethics considerations when it comes to collect data from the participants.

To ensure that your M&E practices cause no harm to participants, stakeholders or other people, I must first consider the experience of my participants, ensure that all participants give informed consent to collect and use their data as well as ensure that, participant data is kept anonymous and confidential. lastly, I have to identify and avoid potential areas where my data may exacerbate existing inequities.

When dealing with data, individuals and organizations need to consider ethics and avoid causing harm. There are few key aspects related to the context of do no harm. These are - 1. Ensure the consent of participants when collecting data. 2. Ensure privacy and security of collected data. 3. Ensure fair and ethical use of data. 4. Ensure accountability and transparency. 5. Maintain data accqurecy.

What an interesting topic.

On getting consent before collecting data, this consent need to be in written form? or even through word of mouth? If word of mouth would be considered what would be the evidence incase one participant says she or he did not give consent?

I like the fact about what data anonymous mean

From the previous lesson on the importance of "Do No Harm" during M&E data collection, I have learned several key points. First and foremost, I now understand the ethical considerations and responsibilities that M&E practitioners have towards the well-being and safety of participants. Respecting their rights, maintaining confidentiality, and obtaining informed consent are paramount.

I have also realized the significance of avoiding harm and unintended consequences during data collection processes. By proactively identifying and mitigating risks, practitioners can ensure that the data collection process does not cause adverse effects, stigmatization, or negative outcomes for participants.

Trust and cooperation emerged as vital components of successful data collection. Building trust with participants by adhering to "Do No Harm" principles fosters cooperation and willingness to engage. This, in turn, enhances the quality and reliability of the collected data.

The lesson has also highlighted the importance of valid and reliable data. By prioritizing the well-being of participants and creating a safe environment, M&E practitioners can minimize biases, encourage honest and accurate responses, and reduce the potential for data manipulation or coercion. This ultimately contributes to meaningful analysis and decision-making.

Furthermore, I have learned that the principle of "Do No Harm" has long-term implications for the impact and sustainability of development initiatives. By upholding ethical standards and protecting participants, M&E practitioners contribute to positive change and prevent unintended negative consequences.

If my organization is working with low status groups whom the politicians think or might link to crimes, then sharing this data would lead to them being victimized or even portrays as the derailers of development which might not necessarily be true. The privacy of this people should be protected.

Confidentiality is critical in data collection a component of M&E as everything is centered around Monitoring, Evaluation and informed decision-making. I'm experienced working with vulnerable groups (refugees). In a team, we collected detailed information about refugees using UNHCR's Tools and Templates; from personal biodata to their entire life. Through the Protection Team, they were informed about the sensitivity of that data we collected from them, how valued they are and how every word provided the team is kept private.
It is important to inform the beneficiaries what you are collecting data for and they should consent, except as mentioned above, in critical scenarios of health, as well as children.

Data collection is one of the most delicate part of M&E.
The first thing is to understand the competence of the respondents and this can be evaluated in terms of education, age and even work experience. This means that questions should be proportional to the respondents and this will guarantee you some fair responses.

Another important factor is consenting. It means that researchers should ask permission from the respondents before doing the data collection exercise. This is very important because most of these information such as health records are very crucial and can only be obtained using a proper consenting means possible.

In conclusion, for the respondents to give you meaningful information, it therefore means that you have guaranteed them safety of their information. So the concept of anonymity and confidentiality should be taken very seriously. The aftermath also is very important in the sense that the information obtained can as well be used as a secondary source of information and therefore it is very paramount to keep it private.

This is very true but we need to dig deeper to understand the DO NOT HARM Concept

On ethics what are you trying to say by referring In the past, many people have participated in studies without understanding the risks involved. As a result, these people have suffered

It's crucial to be mindful of how data can be weaponized against marginalized communities. Before releasing any data, it's important to consider the potential consequences and how it could be misinterpreted or misused to perpetuate harm or reinforce existing biases. Safeguarding against this requires thoughtful analysis, transparency, and a commitment to ethical data practices to ensure that data is not used to exacerbate inequities or unfairly target specific groups.

It's crucial to be mindful of how data can be weaponized against marginalized communities. Before releasing any data, it's important to consider the potential consequences and how it could be misinterpreted or misused to perpetuate harm or reinforce existing biases. Safeguarding against this requires thoughtful analysis, transparency, and a commitment to ethical data practices to ensure that data is not used to exacerbate inequities or unfairly target specific groups.

Do meu ponto de vista, sim diante estes dados poderá prejudicar os participantes devido a tendência de dados pela informação que trás, sendo estes cometidores de crimes.
Mas, também vai depender da finalidade de uso destes dados colectado e for os dados para foro político e caso não manteremos os dados em confidenciais.

Sim, poderá ser usado por parte interessante deste grupo populacional se não honrarmos com o anonimato e confidencialidade das informações obtida pelo nosso grupo alvo. Consequentemente estaremos a violar os princípios éticos da pesquisa.

During my undergraduate project, I had to collect blood samples from a lot of people, because of that I needed an ethical clearance and I had to take consent of all participants and promised to keep them anonymous

Do no harm encompasses a lot of ethical issues. It may mean be confidential on the data you have received. This is is done to avoid damage or any risk if such kind of data is released. Another think to take into account on this subject is considering the experience of the participant. Don't make the tools for data collection extremely long that it will be stressful and also that which maybe very disrespectful. Also, tailor the tools in relation to general background of participants

The answer is affirmative, as it is your responsibility as a data collector to gather project data ethically, which entails taking the confidentiality and privacy of the organisations you are gathering data for into account. Without a question, the information you disclose has the potential to negatively impact these groups. Prior to doing so, you need their permission and to inform them that this information will be shared with local lawmakers and the government. You need also let them know about the implications before you interview them.

Also, your intention is to get solution for an existence problem not to create another dilemma, consider the ethical principles of monitoring and evaluation specifically the Do No Harm principles.

I believe consent will be given in writing, and you need to make sure the respondent is aware of what is included.He or she may claim, "I didn't understand the consent's language."

Doing people harm may cause people to lose trust in your organisation thus this may be difficult during future projects where data may be required

Im working with a queer community in Russia and our main principe is not to harm, we always keep it in mind

Im working with a queer community in Russia and our main principe is not to harm, we always keep it in mind

Im working with a queer community in Russia and our main principe is not to harm, we always keep it in mind

Im working with a queer community in Russia and our main principe is not to harm, we always keep it in mind

If at the end of the day data causes harm to our stakeholders and benefactors then the purpose of the project cannot be effectively achieved

This is a very important issue as it need to be addressed. As it protects both side the participant and the organization. The participant they need ensured of their security and safety. This indicates that no participants will be victimized, and no information will be used without their consent. Thats is why the consent form must use.

Unless you are careful, your M&E processes have the potential to cause enormous harm. The Do No Harm principle instructs us to actively avoid causing damage

"Do no harm" in the context of data collection to data use is a principle that emphasizes the ethical responsibility of individuals or organizations handling data to ensure that their actions do not cause harm to individuals, communities, or society at large. This principle is especially relevant in fields like data science, research, and technology where data is collected, analyzed, and utilized for various purposes.

Here are some key aspects related to "do no harm" in the context of data:

Privacy Protection: Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of individuals' data is crucial. Collecting and using data in a way that respects privacy rights helps prevent harm, such as identity theft, unauthorized disclosure, or discrimination.

Informed Consent: Obtaining informed consent from individuals before collecting their data is essential. This involves providing clear information about the purpose of data collection, how the data will be used, and any potential risks associated with it.

Fair and Responsible Use: Data should be used in a fair and responsible manner. This means avoiding discriminatory practices and ensuring that the use of data does not reinforce existing biases or contribute to unfair treatment of individuals or groups.

Security Measures: Implementing robust security measures to protect data from unauthorized access or breaches is crucial. Failing to secure data properly can lead to harm, including identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.

Transparency: Being transparent about data collection and use practices builds trust with individuals. Transparency helps people understand how their data is being used and allows them to make informed decisions about sharing their information.

Data Accuracy: Ensuring the accuracy of data is important to prevent misinformation and potential harm that may arise from decisions based on inaccurate or unreliable information.

"Do no harm" in the context of data collection to data use is a principle that emphasizes the ethical responsibility of individuals or organizations handling data to ensure that their actions do not cause harm to individuals, communities, or society at large. This principle is especially relevant in fields like data science, research, and technology where data is collected, analyzed, and utilized for various purposes.

Here are some key aspects related to "do no harm" in the context of data:

Privacy Protection: Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of individuals' data is crucial. Collecting and using data in a way that respects privacy rights helps prevent harm, such as identity theft, unauthorized disclosure, or discrimination.

Informed Consent: Obtaining informed consent from individuals before collecting their data is essential. This involves providing clear information about the purpose of data collection, how the data will be used, and any potential risks associated with it.

Fair and Responsible Use: Data should be used in a fair and responsible manner. This means avoiding discriminatory practices and ensuring that the use of data does not reinforce existing biases or contribute to unfair treatment of individuals or groups.

Security Measures: Implementing robust security measures to protect data from unauthorized access or breaches is crucial. Failing to secure data properly can lead to harm, including identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.

Transparency: Being transparent about data collection and use practices builds trust with individuals. Transparency helps people understand how their data is being used and allows them to make informed decisions about sharing their information.

Data Accuracy: Ensuring the accuracy of data is important to prevent misinformation and potential harm that may arise from decisions based on inaccurate or unreliable information.

• The sample population should, in my opinion, be able to submit data within a reasonable time limit without experiencing undue stress or time constraints, which might otherwise negatively impact their daily routines and mental health. Such strategies should have a well-defined goal that is pre-planned and supported by an appropriate framework. They also ought to be aware of the rationale behind the data collection from them.

• Additionally, since it was agreed upon that their identity would remain private, it should be upheld by creating suitable codes that would prevent readers from learning who they are after the report is completed.

• The data must be generated in a way that both reveals the truth and the ground reality and prevents others from using it as a weapon against the sample group's weakness. To prevent such risks, their explanations and responses must be sufficiently included in the report.

Identify and avoid potential areas where your data may exacerbate existing inequities. what if that part of data is necessary for the project at that time?

No I may not share my data to government becauese this wil cause harm to beneficiaries,so only authorized personnel would access the data.

A very interesting and simple guide to understand the concepts.

Here are some key considerations to ensure your M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) practices cause no harm:

Participant Experience:

Respectful Data Collection: Design data collection methods that are mindful of participants' time and comfort. Avoid lengthy surveys or intrusive procedures.
Informed Consent: Obtain clear informed consent from participants. Explain the purpose of data collection, how their information will be used, and any potential risks.
Anonymity and Confidentiality: Honor promises of anonymity and confidentiality. Ensure data cannot be linked back to individuals or is accessible only to authorized personnel.
Legal and Ethical Compliance:

Understand Regulations: Be familiar with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines, especially when working with vulnerable populations (children, prisoners, etc.).
Equity Considerations:

Data Interpretation: Be mindful of how your data might be interpreted or used by others, considering the social and political context. Avoid perpetuating stereotypes or biases.
Power Dynamics: Acknowledge and address any power imbalances between researchers and participants.
Transparency and Communication:

Clear Communication: Communicate clearly and accurately about the M&E process throughout, from initial engagement to sharing findings.
Feedback Mechanism: Establish a mechanism for participants to provide feedback on the M&E process.

The introduction and basic information about data collection and also three essential principles of M And E is honesty, do no harm, competence. Also factors how can you ensure M and E practice cause no harm to participants

Do No Harm, we need to carefully collect and manage data ethically. We respect every individual who provides us with their information.

What should I do when the participant accept to sign the consent form then after the participant decide to do not continue to participate in the survey?

It is good to take care for do not do harm. Based on what I learned, I have seen that we have to be serious when we are collecting data so that data we collect could not be harm to any person. Also we have to take care about the informed consent form. But based on that I also have a question, What should I do when the participant accept to sign the consent form then after the participant decide to do not continue to participate in the survey?

Quite important to protect people information.
Confidentiality should be upheld at all times, carelessly handling people personal information can bridge trust and cause the affected person sometimes guilt and fear.
Which in the end, could lead to trauma and low self-esteem.
Hence, M&E officers must at all times maintain public trust and uphold high ethical standards.
On the other hand, those who use troubled individual data must maintain ethical standards as well.

Do not harm means that one should keep ethical concerns in mind while doing data collection. Data should be collected by informing the subjects well about it and with their consent. If the informant is not comfortable in sharing his/her name then it should be kept anonyms in order to protect his/her identity and cause no harm in future. Also the data collection process should also be not very hectic process for the subjects.
Data collection

The DO NO HARM principle is one of the major principles of humanitarian work and also an internal policy by most organizations that in the course of our work, we do not cause harm to any child, IDP knowingly or knowingly or not to expose any child to further harm by our actions

1. Design Ethical Data Collection Processes: The emphasis here is on making data collection processes as straightforward and non-intrusive as possible. This involves considering the experience of participants, ensuring that they do not feel burdened or overwhelmed by the process. By prioritizing simplicity and clarity, organizations can encourage higher participation rates and reduce the likelihood of stress or confusion among participants.

2. Informed Consent: Informed consent is a foundational ethical principle in research and data collection. It ensures that participants are fully aware of the purpose, risks, and benefits of participating in the study or providing their data. This includes explaining how their information will be used, who will have access to it, and their rights regarding confidentiality and anonymity. Obtaining informed consent demonstrates respect for participants' autonomy and rights to make informed decisions about their involvement.

3. Compliance with Regulations: Organizations must stay abreast of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing data collection and research practices. This is particularly crucial when working with vulnerable populations or handling sensitive data. By complying with legal requirements and ethical standards, organizations can uphold the rights and well-being of participants while avoiding potential legal and ethical pitfalls.

4. Anonymity and Confidentiality: Protecting participant privacy is paramount in ethical data collection. Anonymizing data ensures that individual identities cannot be traced back to the information provided, while maintaining confidentiality restricts access to sensitive data to authorized personnel only. By implementing robust security measures and data anonymization techniques, organizations can safeguard participant privacy and minimize the risk of harm associated with unauthorized disclosure or misuse of data.

5. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Conducting a thorough risk assessment helps organizations identify potential harms and vulnerabilities associated with data collection and analysis. By proactively addressing these risks and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies, such as data encryption, access controls, and stakeholder engagement, organizations can minimize the likelihood of harm to participants and stakeholders while maximizing the ethical integrity of the M&E process.

6. Transparency and Accountability: Transparency is essential for building trust and credibility in M&E practices. Organizations should strive to be transparent about their methodologies, findings, and limitations, providing stakeholders with clear and accessible information about the data collection process and its implications. Establishing mechanisms for accountability ensures that organizations are held accountable for their actions and decisions, fostering ethical conduct and responsible use of data.

7. Equity and Social Justice: Recognizing and addressing power imbalances and social inequalities is critical in promoting ethical M&E practices. Organizations should be mindful of the potential impact of their data collection efforts on marginalized or vulnerable groups, working to amplify their voices and ensure their representation in decision-making processes. By prioritizing equity and social justice considerations, organizations can contribute to more inclusive and equitable outcomes for all stakeholders involved.

Overall, integrating these principles into M&E practices not only helps to prevent harm to participants and stakeholders but also enhances the ethical integrity and effectiveness of data-driven decision-making processes. By prioritizing ethics, transparency, and equity, organizations can uphold the rights and well-being of all individuals involved while maximizing the positive impact of their M&E efforts.

Im working with a queer community in Russia and our main principe is not to harm, we always keep it in mind

This topic has shown it all that ethical issues are of paramount importance in making sure that no harm is caused during collecting and even after collecting data.
confidentiality and privacy is important in protecting our people during data collection

To ensure that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices cause no harm to participants, stakeholders, or other people, several key principles and strategies should be followed:

Informed consent: Obtain informed consent from all participants before collecting data, ensuring that they understand the purpose of the data collection, how their information will be used, and any potential risks or benefits involved.

Privacy and confidentiality: Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants by anonymizing data, using secure storage and transmission methods, and ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to the data.

Respect for cultural norms and values: Respect the cultural norms, values, and beliefs of participants and stakeholders, ensuring that M&E practices are culturally sensitive and do not impose Western-centric perspectives or practices.

Do no harm: Consider the potential risks and unintended consequences of M&E activities, taking proactive steps to mitigate any negative impacts on participants, stakeholders, or the broader community.

Equity and inclusion: Ensure that M&E practices are inclusive and accessible to all participants, regardless of factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or disability. This may involve using diverse data collection methods, providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and actively seeking input from marginalized or underrepresented groups.

Transparency and accountability: Be transparent about the purpose, methods, and findings of M&E activities, providing participants and stakeholders with clear and accessible information about how their data will be used and ensuring that they have opportunities to provide feedback and raise concerns.

Continuous monitoring and learning: Regularly monitor and evaluate M&E practices to identify any potential harms or ethical concerns, and take prompt corrective action to address them. Foster a culture of learning and adaptation within the organization or project team, encouraging reflection and dialogue on ethical issues related to M&E.

By adhering to these principles and implementing these strategies, organizations can minimize the risk of causing harm through their M&E practices and ensure that their efforts contribute to positive social impact in an ethical and responsible manner.

Je pense que dans le processus de récolte des données, nous devons à tout prix respecter le principe de ne pas nuire afin de protéger les personnes qui prennent part à notre enquête. Cela dans l'objectif de leur protéger contre toute représailles qui proviendrais de la divulgation de leurs informations

Je pense que dans le processus de récolte des données, nous devons à tout prix respecter le principe de ne pas nuire afin de protéger les personnes qui prennent part à notre enquête. Cela dans l'objectif de leur proteger contre toute represailles qui proviendrais de la divilgation de leurs informations

Why is it necessary to consider privacy and confidentiality when collecting data?

Why is it necessary to consider privacy and confidentiality when collecting data?

Why is it necessary to consider privacy and confidentiality when collecting data?

The discussion revolves around the ethical principles of data collection and use, emphasizing the importance of the "Do No Harm" principle in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices. Organizations engaged in data collection must prioritize the dignity, well-being, and self-worth of individuals.

The Do No Harm principle involves:

Participant Experience: Considering the impact of data collection on participants, ensuring that the process is simple, intuitive, and not overly burdensome or stressful.
Informed Consent: Ensuring participants fully understand the risks involved in data collection and provide informed consent. This is especially critical in medical research or when working with vulnerable populations such as children or prisoners.
Anonymity and Confidentiality: Keeping data anonymous and confidential to protect participants from potential harm. This includes safeguarding sensitive information that could damage individuals' reputation or safety.
Addressing Inequities: Being mindful of how data could exacerbate existing inequities. Organizations must consider how data may be used by others, including potential misuse that could harm vulnerable groups.
Organizations should strive to follow these ethical principles to avoid causing harm to participants, stakeholders, or other affected individuals. This includes careful design and execution of M&E processes, keeping in mind the potential consequences of data misuse. Ultimately, ethical data collection and use ensure trust and integrity in the research process and outcomes.

The discussion revolves around the ethical principles of data collection and use, emphasizing the importance of the "Do No Harm" principle in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices. Organizations engaged in data collection must prioritize the dignity, well-being, and self-worth of individuals.

The Do No Harm principle involves:

Participant Experience: Considering the impact of data collection on participants, ensuring that the process is simple, intuitive, and not overly burdensome or stressful.
Informed Consent: Ensuring participants fully understand the risks involved in data collection and provide informed consent. This is especially critical in medical research or when working with vulnerable populations such as children or prisoners.
Anonymity and Confidentiality: Keeping data anonymous and confidential to protect participants from potential harm. This includes safeguarding sensitive information that could damage individuals' reputation or safety.
Addressing Inequities: Being mindful of how data could exacerbate existing inequities. Organizations must consider how data may be used by others, including potential misuse that could harm vulnerable groups.
Organizations should strive to follow these ethical principles to avoid causing harm to participants, stakeholders, or other affected individuals. This includes careful design and execution of M&E processes, keeping in mind the potential consequences of data misuse. Ultimately, ethical data collection and use ensure trust and integrity in the research process and outcomes.

Do no harm: Do not intentionally or unintentionally cause physical, emotional and reputation damage all participants of your project. This is done by

1. Consider the experience of the people who are providing data, for example if you are using an interview guide to collect your data let it not be too long to consume a lot of your participants time.
2. Obtain an informed consent from the participants you are collecting data from, this means you should make them understand why the data is being collected, it's use and share with then the results. let them know that there are no hidden risks by explaining all the risk involved with the exercise.
3. Ensure anonymity and confidentiality. The data should not be linked to the participants who provided it and should not be accessible to unauthorised people.
4. Identify and avoid potential areas where your data may exacerbate existing inequalities.

Indeed, it is very important to ensure that the research does not inflict any harm on the participants. And in other to ensure this, several actions need to be taken by the interviewer which include

To adhere to the ethical principle of Do No Harm in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices, it's essential to prioritize participant well-being by designing data collection processes that are intuitive and non-intrusive, obtaining informed consent while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines, safeguarding participant privacy through anonymization and confidentiality measures, mitigating potential risks of harm or misuse of data, and continuously evaluating and adapting practices to minimize negative impacts and uphold the dignity of all individuals involved.

To adhere to the ethical principle of Do No Harm in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices, it's essential to prioritize participant well-being by designing data collection processes that are intuitive and non-intrusive, obtaining informed consent while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines, safeguarding participant privacy through anonymization and confidentiality measures, mitigating potential risks of harm or misuse of data, and continuously evaluating and adapting practices to minimize negative impacts and uphold the dignity of all individuals involved.

To ensure that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices do no harm, it is crucial to design ethical data collection methods that minimize participant burden, ensure informed consent with clarity and transparency, and maintain strict standards for anonymity and confidentiality. By doing so, M&E activities respect participants' rights and safeguard their well-being, ensuring that data collection and analysis cause no harm while providing valuable insights.

According to Pierre Bourdieu, when people become the object of our study there's an asymetrical relationship to them as the interviewer mantains the control of the situation. Subjects or interviewers get to select who is fit or representative of the population being studied and they also choose which questions are relevant to achieve this knowledge. The study's objects, on the other hand, must accomodate to their requirements and hope to give the answer they are seeking for.
Giving this asymetric relationship described, it's vital in the ethics of an investigation to make sure you respect and do no harm the objects of the social study. That's why is so important they are given all the relevant information and we are honest and clear about our intentions, leveling the field. Being discrete about the personal information given is also a major priority, as it is abstaining to the goals of your study. The privacy that our objects of study confine us must be respected and treasured at all times.

I have learned that one of the ethics of Monitoring and Evaluation is Do No Harm. This ethic is to ensure that the M&E does not impose any harm on the participants. In achieving this, several principles must be adopted including considering the experience of the participants, ensuring that all participants give informed consent to collect and use their data, ensuring that, when appropriate, participant data is kept anonymous and confidential, and identifying and avoiding potential areas where your data may exacerbate existing inequities.

From the above example, where my data suggests that some of the people belonging to this group (lower status group of individuals) have committed crimes I could not let the data I released be used by political opponents to further damage this group of people because I promised them that the data collected from them would be kept anonymous and confidential.

The “Do No Harm” principle encourages individuals to act in ways that promote safety, well-being, and fairness. It reminds us to consider the potential consequences of our actions and strive to minimize harm to others.

I'm working with the refugee and sometime after an activity some of them don't wont to share their nationality. This part of the module is very helpful

Do no harm principle is especially critical where there are underlying issues, conflicts, or problems.

it is important to not harm or damage emotional, physical and reputational aspect of respondent's life

this is really true according to my experience working as enumerator i could feel bad on some of assessment that we used to conduct that they were causing emotional damages to the beneficiaries because they were not told the exact purpose of our surveys and they had hope of getting something at the end of the project. therefore this an important principle to follow in M&E

that's what i have been experiencing as well my time as a research assistant at a refugee camp because we couldn't disclose the actual purpose of some surveys.