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Summary: This tool presents an introduction to three useful information gathering methods, namely
pocket voting, focus group discussion (FGD) and individual interviews. These methods, which can
either be used separately or combined, are useful for the collection of information on knowledge,
perceptions, practices and preferences of individuals or groups. The tool also explains how to conduct
randomised sample surveys and provides sample questionnaires.

Application Within the Planning Process: Related Tools:

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Process Ignition and Demand Creation J) Participatory Assessment Methods
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Detailed Assessment of the Current Situation
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Prioritisation of the Community Problems and
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Fkhfei[ Three question-based methods for statistical information from households. This tool
investigating the stakeholders’ perspective on gives practical advice on how to do it and pro-
environmental sanitation issues are introduced vides questionnaire examples.
in this tool, and their application and meaningful
combination is explained. >em
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In a pocket voting exercise, participants anony- of the three methods and information on their
mously vote and state their views on sensitive appropriate application and combination are
subjects. FGDs serve to elicit norms and values given in Document D2.1. D2.2 contains instruc-
of a group and to assess the broadness of ideas tions for conducting randomised sample surveys
and opinions of their members. Individual inter- and provides a short generic questionnaire. A
views can be used to investigate issues that do sample questionnaire for individual interviews
not arise during FGDs and to research personal and household surveys are provided in D2.3.
attitudes and practices, as well as to obtain data Further participatory assessment methods in-
from key informants. Surveys represent one ap- cluding participatory mapping and transect walk
plication of individual interviews. In CLUES, the can be accessed in Tool T3.
detailed assessment (step 3) comprises ran-
domised sample surveys for the collection of basic

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Document D2.1: Document D2.2:
D2.2

Interview Methods Conducting Randomised

Conducting Randomised Sample Surveys
D2.1 Interview Methods

Purpose
INTRODUCTION Sample surveys serve two purposes: first, to elicit information from individuals randomly
Three question-based methods that can be applied for the investigation of the selected within the project area. Secondly, by compiling the data one will gain a better
community’s perspective on environmental sanitation issues are presented here. understanding of the wide variations between households. On a community level individual
Depending on the objectives of the study, one of them can be selected or a interviews can be very useful in obtaining information and observations from residents who
combination can be made. might not take part in workshops or group meetings.

D2.1.pdf Sample Surveys

While pocket voting is a relatively simple technique for the rapid assessment
of a group’s priorities, focus group discussions and individual interviews How to do it?
require thorough preparation and professional facilitation. The moderator Semi-structured interviews work best that include a mix of open and closed questions (see
example questionnaire attached below). First, be sure to design a good questionnaire that
(facilitator) and interviewer need a lot of practice and skills.
includes all important aspects you’d like to cover, doesn’t include leading questions (i.e., a
With all methods, the attitudes, beliefs and expectations of the individuals and question that already points the interviewee into a certain direction) and won’t take more than
also those of the group should be taken into account. Furthermore, it is half an hour to conduct the individual interview (max. 50 questions). Using the questionnaire
important to understand and utilize the social language, to understand the for guidance, the interviewers proceed to interview the selected households, encouraging the
specific vocabulary and to be aware of the sensitiveness of the context. respondents to elaborate on points of interest and relevance. Be sure to identify yourself and

D2.2.pdf
Combining focus group discussions with individual interviews helps to cross- the purpose of the interview; assure the respondent of absolute confidentiality and anonymity.
check results and to explain possible contradictions. Moreover, a broader and Names are not recorded but can be coded; no individual information is passed along to any
deeper picture can be obtained. other party.
Community-Led Urban Environmental Sanitation Planning – Toolbox

While surveys repeatedly identify gaps between people’s knowledge and their
For open questions, use clarifying questions to focus the interview; for example: “Can you tell
behaviour, only qualitative methods, such as focus group discussions and
us a bit more about that?” Avoid questions that have a “yes” or “no” answer. In case you get
individual interviews, can actually fill these gaps and explain why they occur "yes" or "no" answers, ask for more detail. The way the questions are designed affects the
(Kitzinger 1995, Wellings et al. 2000). ability of respondents to recall, judge and select their own information.

POCKET VOTING Selection of interviewers

In a democratic way, participants anonymously vote and state their views on Another important factor is the relationship between interviewer and interviewee. It is
sensitive subjects predefined by a facilitator. influenced by factors such as sex, age differences, social roles, educational background,
ethnicity and personal characteristics as well as knowledge of the local language. It is of
Purpose great importance to make people feel comfortable and not force respondents to answer
questions. Interviewers should be patient and listen carefully. Translation and the role of
Pocket voting is particularly useful for obtaining information on topics on which
translators is another aspect that needs to be discussed. Terms which are used by the
people feel embarrassed or inhibited to talk about in the public. It can be used community members themselves provides a better understanding of local concepts,
to investigate the existing situation as well as to find out what sort of correlations and interpretations.
improvements and adjustments would be preferred by different groups of
people (male, female, poor, rich, etc.). Aspects that can be identified by pocket Random sampling - how to select a good sample size in a given community
voting include: It is important to select households randomly from the your project area in order to:
x Water sources and their use ƒ capture information from varying local socio-economic profiles and
x Defecation practices and use of toilet facilities ƒ to get an estimate of how the answers to your questions are distributed in the area,
i.e. what are major problems and what are only minor issues.
x Preferences for improvements and priority of sanitation
First, you have to decide how many households you want to interview. This may depend on
Procedure the costs of conducting the interviews. Usually a sample of 200-300 households should give
The original form of the pocket voting technique is as follows: the facilitator enough variety of information. Next, determine the approximate total number of
presents a question to be answered anonymously by each group member. He households in your intervention area, let's say 3'000 households. With the 2 numbers you
define the ratio sample/population, in our case it is 300:3000 = 1:10. This means you will
The best would be to let the community members explain the used terms themselves; this interview every 9 household in the community/area (number from the ratio minus 1 to adjust
provides a deeper understanding of local concepts, correlations and interpretations for rejection).

Document D2.3:
D2.3 Household Survey on Environmental Sanitation Sigel, K. (2009). Household
Example Questionnaire

Date:
Questionnaire No.:
Number of group (I-IX):
Survey Environmental Sanitation.
Name of enumerator:

Questionnaire for the HCES Case

Time start:
Time finish:

Part I: Household and housing characteristics

“First I would like to ask some general questions about the household and housing
characteristics.”
Household
Nr
1
2
Question
How old are you?
Gender of respondent
Possible Answers
No. of years:___
- Male
- Female
Study in Darkhan, Mongolia.
3 Are you the head of the household? - Yes
If no: What is your role in this - No, I am…

UFZ. Leipzig, Germany.

household?
6 How many adults (• 18 years) live in this - No. of adults:___ (summertime)
household? - No. of adults:___ (wintertime)
7 How many children (< 18 years) live in - No. of children:___ (summertime)
this household? - No. of children:___ (wintertime)

The questions are not numbered consecutively because after the pre-test of the survey some questions were
deleted and others added.
D2.3.pdf

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