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A very helpful topic in deed. I didn't know about particpant tracking form works this better

Creating Data Collection Tools is most important part in planning process for monitoring and evaluation part. You may have adequate knowledge on the previous steps such as you may have clear project summary, well defined indicators and risk and assumptions...............however, in this stage you need to employ all your knowledge in practice to design data collection tools. Error in data collection designs can turn all your knowledge into no use and the project may suffer from inadequate information to support their success.

This module has really helped me in preparing my thesis questionnaire.

Supervisor Evaluation Form – 3 Months observation.docx

Data collection tools you choose to collect the data will depend on the type of data you plan on collecting (qualitative or quantitative) and how you plan to collect it. Some of the commonly used data collection tools are:
Questionnaires
Interviews
Observations
Archival documents and government sources
Laboratory experiments
Quasi experiment
Scales (measuring and weighing tapes)

data is very vital when doing monitoring and evaluation. It is therefore important to come up with proper data collecting tools that will enable us to collect the right data that we may need for the monitoring and evaluation process. Information on who we are collecting data from and who oversees he process is also vital in determine the kind of methods and data collection tools that we will use.

Creating proper data collection tool is key task on the process of data collection, because it affects the quality of data collected and, consequently, the quality of the results obtained. It is paramount to always consider the context in which the data collection is carried out. For each tool, there's a different method of implementation and it is important to be aware of the implementation dynamics. For example, respondants of a survey, interview or participants of a focus group may be influenced by the different etnicity of the interviewer/mediator. Often, in Africa common people may not feel at ease with white people, so maybe you should consider to implement the survey/interview/focus goup by a local collegue. Moreover, it is very important to consider the psycological reactions of people when they get inteviewed, nemed as "biases". A crucial bias is the "social desiderability bias", that is when people do not answer honestly, but (even unconsciously) they answer as they think they would please and impress the interviewer.

Great to be learning how to create data collection tools here. This has been a very worthwhile undertaking. I will want to know why it is imperative to have metadata for projects that are being implemented in one location and for a small number of beneficiaries

Good ideas presented in a beautiful format. The points you made in terms of the need for data collection is valid. Kudos

Discussion: Creating Data Collection Tools

It was indeed a great learning for me, specially designing the tools and testing the data collection tools prior to execute in the real field to collect the data. Now I am more clear about the Metadata and its importance.

Create data collecting are very useful for your project

Creating data collection is very useful for your team

When creating a data collection to tool one needs to follow certain steps an procedures before collecting the data. For instance they is need for a data collection volunteer,project coordinator to draft a form that will be used in the field to collect data. They form will help track all the activities conducted in the fields. Before a data tool is used in a field they is need for the tool to be tried before the actual event for instance we can use it on an member partaking in the project imagining that the person is the receive of microloans. Such previews will help coordinator of the projects to improve the data collecting tool.

I have created a data collection tool for my company and ready to expand, now willing to help growing organizations to develop their M and E plan thank you.

it was very direct and easy to learn.

Team leaders should aim to create a simple tool so that the participants would be able to understand and answer, but at the same time, it should be comprehensive enough to provide the organization with the data it needs

"Data collection tools" is probably the part of M&E that I am least confident about because I often feel the tools cannot collect the appropriate data as planned. What do you think is the best thing to do after using the tools and finding out they are not as effective in gathering the data we need as planned?

Data collection tools are very crucial in projects, hence, they should be carefully selected and designed. For accurate documentation and tracking of the progress of the project.

Creation of data collection is one of the most vital stages in the creation of of a M and E plan since it helps to record and monitoring of activities done in the project and whether the desired outputs or target audien are being reached

One of most popular tool is participant

for sure a data collection tool used will determine the quality of data to be collected. furthermore, testing a form is more important. i would suggest the team collecting data, if possible,to go on the field and do some sampling on the effectiveness of the form.

Effective data collection tools assures a project's success.

Creating data collection tools requires careful consideration. They are generally the backbone of a project hence the need to ensure the right information is captured

After Reading through this notes, I found it easy to create data collection tools

It is important to select tools that will suit your organization and that which will achieve the objective.

I can't wait to garner knowledge in the field of Project Management

Data collection tools refer to the devices/instruments used to collect data, such as a paper questionnaire or computer-assisted interviewing system. Case Studies, Checklists, Interviews, Observation sometimes, and Surveys or Questionnaires are all tools used to collect data.

It is important to decide the tools for data collection because research is carried out in different ways and for different purposes. The objective behind data collection is to capture quality evidence that allows analysis to lead to the formulation of convincing and credible answers to the questions that have been posed.

In creating data collection tools these are to be considered .

• Identify who will use the tools:
  this will help to identify the person who will collect the data, and it depends on the project, it could be a staff member, a volunteer or a partner. while allocating who will collect data, the educational level, experience and how comfortable to use the tools has to be considered.

• Focus on essential Information
  The data has to be focus on essential information to enable complete and uncomplicated data.
  -Collect metadata. this has to do with the information the will be recorded

• Pre-test your tools: this has to do with test the tool before proper usage. eg testing a tool in thesame environment it will be use.
  -Train staff to use tools and include instruction: one dont need to assume that the tools are self explanatory, different people interpret in different ways. the staff or volunteer need to be train how to use the tools and how to communicate or respond to instruction.
  in training on how the tool should be used include
  participant tracking forms, this has to do with keeping records of the participant, and is depends on the project.
  in education, you collect record of student that attends classes, and health record of patient that visit clinic.

Data Collection Methods and Tools are really great to learn. Cant wait to practice on them.

Understanding the set indicators is very crucial to choosing the right data collection tools for a specific project.

Understanding the set indicators is very crucial to choosing the right data collection tools for a specific project.

I agree with you.

Very true!

Creating assertive, simple and effective data collection tools is important to ensure correct data collection as well as facilitating subsequent analysis. Otherwise, the impact of the project cannot be adequately measured, which will affect not only credibility with partners or investors but also its status.

I believe that designing DATA COLLECTION TOOLS are as important as being able to identify and select specific indicators that will ensure a correct monitoring and evaluation process.

This module helps to identify, define and specify a type of data collection which is one of the most important part of any monitoring and evaluation.

Not necessarily, because sometimes they take too long and you also have to consider that other similar projects already have information. Sometimes going to the books and what's already out there saves time and resources.

Effective data collection tools DO NOT ensure the success of a project, but they do guarantee accurate and effective measurement. The success of the project depends on many other factors, not just how you measure its impact and development.

Yes because it helps the team know where they are going and to have clarify and focuse on what they need to look for (search for as results).

This module helps to identify, define and specify a type of data collection which is one of the most important part of any monitoring and evaluation.

Data collection tools has a great impact on M&E.

data collection is very important for every project. clear data collection tool helps the project to meet its requirement

Data collection tools are tools that helps make it easy to collect different data.

Data collection tools- Are tools used to collect data.
The process of creating the data collection is a bit expensive and time- consuming therefore, an organization or researcher needs to identify the type of data collected and who is going to use the data to help in selecting a tool that has been tested before and able to assist in the process efficiently.

It is necessary and essential to pre-test your tool and train your staff how to use the tool with instructions.
The tools identified should be taken back to the community rather target project beneficiaries to hear their feedback and clear out incase of any concerns and clarifications regarding the tool.

It is a very informative session. The light bulb moment for me has been on grouping indicators so that at least on or two data collection tools can be used for all. For a while, I was a bit overwhelmed on the various methods and tools that would need to be used looking at the variety of indicators under inputs, outputs, outcomes and impacts.

• Creating data collection tool can help project team to monitor the progress of the project and whether project is going to wards the targets or not.

WELL UNDERSTOOD

YES IT IS BECAUSE IT TRY TO KEEP NECCESSARY INFORMATION

Should we have a limitation to the number of questions on the survey?

It is really important to design the data collection tools thoroughly. If the tools are designed perfectly, it will help us a lot in collecting the data we need

Totally agree with the tips that we have to focus on essential information. Most of the time we want to have all of the information because we think that we might need it in the future. However, it can make our tools very complicated and hard to use

Creating data collection tools is one of the way to get a comprehensive information because the tool will identify who will use it, focus on the essential information, pre-test and train the staff that will use the tools effectively.

Data collection tools refer to the devices/instruments used to collect data, such as a paper questionnaire or computer-assisted interviewing system

It is indeed extremely critical for one to create a sound data collection tool relevant to the project in question. The data collection tool so created should be practical both in administering and in monetary terms. The data collection tool created should also provide the project managers with adequate data sufficient enough to making decisions.

Choosing a data collection tool is indeed important .

that is indeed true my friend.

I would only advise the data collection tool to be as brief and in as simple english as possible. I would also add on to adopt more closed ended question approach than open ended.

Data collection tools refer to the devices/instruments used to collect data, such as a paper questionnaire or computer-assisted interviewing system. Case Studies, Checklists, Interviews, Observation sometimes, and Surveys or Questionnaires are all tools used to collect data.

Data collection tools refer to the devices/instruments used to collect data, such as a paper questionnaire or computer-assisted interviewing system. Case Studies, Checklists, Interviews, Observation sometimes, and Surveys or Questionnaires are all tools used to collect data.

1
Use the completed Data Collection Planning Worksheet to create a list of all data collection instruments that are required. Next determine which investigative questions will be posed to which audiences through the instruments identified. One way to facilitate this is to sort the Worksheet by its “Data Source” column and compare this with the completed Question Matrix to ensure that no items have been overlooked. Create one document for each instrument and audience, and on it list each investigative question and sub-question.

2

Consider the type of instruments you will need and plan to create all those of a similar type at the same time. For example, create all the questionnaires you will need and then move on to all interview protocols, documentation worksheets, etc. Tackling the tasks in this manner helps you leverage the work from one instrument to the next of its type. Use the Documentation Worksheet, Focus Group Worksheet, Interview Worksheet, and Questionnaire Development Worksheet to guide your work. Questionnaire items you write for CHWs can be edited slightly to become appropriate for CHW Supervisors, for instance, and so grouping the work will help you complete it more quickly.
3 then
Identify individuals from each data source group to serve as pilot participants for the data collection instruments you have created. It’s fine to choose those close at hand, but if there are important subgroups, or strata, among the target population it’s a good idea to pilot with each subgroup to ensure the instrument is sensitive to their differences. Once the instruments are ready the team must prepare for their use.

4 Finally

Once the instruments are ready, the data collection team must be prepared for their use. For self-administered questionnaires provide electronic or print copy as needed to those responsible for distribution and collection. For administered instruments like surveys or interview protocols, hold a training session with data collectors to ensure they understand what each question is designed to capture, the importance of following the question language order, and how they should document the responses they receive. One effective training approach this is to have an experienced interviewer conduct a real interview in front of the collector trainees, who will follow and document the responses individually. Then compare the captured data of the experienced interviewer with that of the trainees to ensure greater consistency.

It is very clear that designing the right data collection tools plays a crucial role in the outcome of the M&E Exercise. It is therefore important to note that only the essential parts of a data collection tool are to be captured to prevent a long and time consuming tool

It is very clear that designing the right data collection tools plays a crucial role in the outcome of the M&E Exercise. It is therefore important to note that only the essential parts of a data collection tool are to be captured to prevent a long and time consuming tool

I agree, it is a crucial part of the M&E process

I believe strongly that once indicators are clearly defined, the M&E expert can design an adequately appropriate tool(s) for data collection.

Have a clear picture of your indicators and the target audience. Design the tool with the modalities you feel best elicits required data. Contact other colleagues or experts for peer review. These persons can help add, remove or adjust the tool items/questions. This is what it means to test the tool and feedbacks will help you make the necessary adjustments. Note, no one is an island of knowledge.

When you are lost of ideas, feel free to ask people in the same section, research past project documents. Always review your tool to serve as a reliable and valid instrument/means of data collection, since such information is required for management decisions making.

Before creating a data collection tool, its important to consider the user of the tool; in terms of his/her level of education and experience using such a tool

There are different tools used in data collection in M&E
They include;
Interviews; this is one of the most common tool used. it can be formal or informal. can be done over the phone, skype call, whatsapp call etc.
they are a lot more tools in data collection including;
Observation
Survey and questionnaires
Direct measurement
Focus groups and discussions
Photography and video
Case studies and stories of change
Secondary data sources

each data collection is unique with its own methods. some tools collect quantitative data while some collect qualitative data. Some are more accurate than the other.
in summary, there are advantages and disadvantages of each data collection tool.

Interesting topic, I definitely learnt a lot from this module.

The success of an M&E plan relies a lot on the data collection tools that one chooses; it is imperative that a decent amount of time and resources is dedicated to this very important part of the process.

Regarding the survey and interview method how can I guarantee that the information or data collected is real?

How can I mitigate the risk of participants providing untrue information?

Regarding the survey and interview method how can I guarantee that the information or data collected is real?

How can I mitigate the risk of participants providing untrue information?

Regarding the survey and interview method how can I guarantee that the information or data collected is real?

How can I mitigate the risk of participants providing untrue information?

Basic tools for data collecetion. These include interviews, focus group discussions, observation, photography, video, surveys, questionnaires and case studies. and Many different methodologies can be used for data collection and analysis.

I think that this is a critical aspect of the M&E plan. Just going over my draft M&E plan, I have observed that there are a few fields/ indicator data fields that are not necessary. Not that they are not useful but more like excess info that may not be practical to collect or that will add more value. I also see the usefulness of defining some of the fields/sections such as the regions and adding instructions for clarity as people may have different interpretations.

When you are lost of ideas, feel free to ask people in the same section, research past project documents. Always review your tool to serve as a reliable and valid instrument/means of data collection, since such information is required for management decisions making.

When you are lost of ideas, feel free to ask people in the same section, research past project documents. Always review your tool to serve as a reliable and valid instrument/means of data collection, since such information is required for management decisions making.

In creating data collection tools, it is necessary to give critical attention to select and design your data collection tool. This will help necessary data to be collected and progress can be well monitored and success effectively evaluated

Lets discuss how we can create data collection tools

Yes yes, and understanding the type of data that you want to collect

Le formulaire de suivi des participants, vu les informations qu'il collecte, est selon moi l'un des premiers outils à concevoir par un responsable de S&E, qui recherche des informations sur l'état d'avancement de son projet.

Data collection tools are the items we use to obtain information from different sources. Data collection tools are very key in monitoring and evaluation as the quality and depth of the data collected depends on how well the tools are designed.
Data collection tools come in many forms ranging from questionnaires, interview guides, focus group guide, document review chelist, among others. How well you you design these tools depends on the type of data to be collected, the frequency of data collection, the cost of data collection, the expertise of the data collector and the study design itself.
Designing data tools can be an individual or collective effort and can be done using experts or project M&E staff.
The process of creating data collection tools for monitoring and evaluation is rigorous process that involves a deeper understanding of the indicators at large, consultations with key stakeholders, as well as testing the tools once complete.
One major and important aspect of designing data collection tools is to pretest as this process allows the designers to check content flow, misinterpreted content, questions that are biased or insensitive, irrelevant content, the accuracy of the data to be collected and the time to be spend on data collection.
It is therefore very important to ensure that data collection tools are well and adequately designed so as to collect valid and reliable data

A data collection tool should be simple with emphasis on the essential date to be collected. The date collection tool has segments namely the meta data( details who collected the data, Version of the tool, when and where the date was collected), the Participant tracking form and user instructions on how the tool should be used, when and by whom. For effective participant tracking tool it will go through a process of understanding the indicator, segmenting the indicators, deciding how to feel the form, creating the form, testing and reviewing the same for purposes of effectiveness.

the process of identifying indicators forms the basis of establishing what parameters to record and the method of data collection method to be used.

to create a data collection tool depends on three ways of collecting data, which are the three was that will enter into the data management process , which are
1.participant tracking forms

2. participant survey
3. review of local goverment records

what is the best method for creating data collection tools?

Once all steps of collecting data tools are followed, the last part is very important because it allow the M&E practitioners to see errors and correct them before reaching out to the participants with data collection tools.

A group of indicators should be measured with the same tool if they share the same data collection method, source and collection schedule.
By choosing the right collection tools it is vital to answer what, who, how often, by whom and the practicability of the method.

It is very crucial to test your form before using it as it allows you to notice any challenges that will likely be faced and the possible changes that need to be made.
To avoid bias, it is wise to test your form with people who did not design the form.

It is very crucial to test your form before using it as it allows you to notice any challenges that will likely be faced and the possible changes that need to be made.
To avoid bias, it is wise to test your form with people who did not design the form.

i think it depends on the type of of a survey it is, if it is qualitative the forcus is on getting an in depth understanding theefore it is wise to have only a few questions lined up. Quantitative surveys may have as many questions as possible because we will be looking at numbers.

it is important that data collection tools are simple and easy to use

I agree with this totally

creating a data collection tools requires to use metadata process

1. the little of the tool
2. the versions of the tool
3. who used the tool
4. where they are used the tool
5. and when they are used

for my own tools for the organization

• list item
  survey
  interviewing
  group discussion

Data collection tools are critical to measure indicator with reliable data . designing quality tool that allows to meaure indicator is very important. the tool is also go inline with the nature of indicator which means for qualitative indicators we design and collect qualitative data where as we develop quantitative collection tool for indicators stated in numeric form.

so far so good, so is MEH using survey??

by the time you do Data collection, the project is already at monitoring stage

Before you design your tool, consider these questions:
• What education does the user have?
• What experience has the user had in using data collection tools?
• How comfortable are they using this type of tool?
Data collection tools should have a space to record the following types of metadata:
• The title of the tool
• The version of the tool
• Who used the tool
• Where they used the tool
• When they used the tool

In creating a participant's tracking form, there is the need to consider the essentials of what should be tracked

Questionnaires are the most used data collection tool