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Specific Monitoring Methods: Direct Observation Surveys/Interviews Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Pile-Ranking Exercises

Direct observation allows visual assessment of situations and behaviors, but cannot determine feelings. Surveys and interviews collect structured information but may not be reliable. Focus group discussions generate qualitative data through group discussions, but may not represent all views. Pile ranking determines relative usefulness of items through organized grouping, but has limited other uses. Each method has strengths and limitations for different monitoring information needs.

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Naveed Ullah
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48 views

Specific Monitoring Methods: Direct Observation Surveys/Interviews Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Pile-Ranking Exercises

Direct observation allows visual assessment of situations and behaviors, but cannot determine feelings. Surveys and interviews collect structured information but may not be reliable. Focus group discussions generate qualitative data through group discussions, but may not represent all views. Pile ranking determines relative usefulness of items through organized grouping, but has limited other uses. Each method has strengths and limitations for different monitoring information needs.

Uploaded by

Naveed Ullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Specific Monitoring Methods

Direct Observation Surveys/Interviews Focus Group Discussions Pile-Ranking Exercises


(FGD)
What is it? Direct observation is about Surveys and interviews are An FGD is a semi-structured Pile ranking is a participatory
visual assessment of a structured discussions that discussion among a group of group exercise, often
situation or a change, such as can collect useful information 8- 12 individuals who share conducted as part of focus
how a shelter has been built about pre-determined topics specific characteristics, group discussions, in which
or whether a latrine is clean. and information needs. These experiences or perspectives. participants are asked to
discussions can last from 30 Perhaps you bring farmers compare items or behaviors
minutes to an hour or so. You together in a focus group to by grouping them into
might conduct these learn more about that group’s categories, such as very
interviews with households to suggestions for improvements useful, somewhat useful, or
learn whether a particular to the response. Or you might not useful. Recipients
distribution spot was hold a focus group with organize the items into
appropriate or with key mothers of small children to distinct piles and then explain
informants, like community uncover their health why they have organized
leaders, to ask about possible concerns. them in this way. Follow-up
conflict as the result of the probing can reveal useful
distribution. Typically, information about the
interviews are done with reasons behind the ranking
fewer respondents during decisions.
light monitoring, and surveys
are done with a larger
number of respondents
during more rigorous
monitoring.
Specific Monitoring Methods
Direct Observation Surveys/Interviews Focus Group Discussions Pile-Ranking Exercises
(FGD)
Qualitative or Either. Typically, a checklist is Either. You might conduct a Qualitative. The strength of a Qualitative and quantitative.
quantitative used for direct observation structured interview with focus group discussion is The actual ranking in a
data? that results in quantitative closed-ended questions to generating in-depth pileranking exercise is
data. However, direct collect quantitative data, or descriptions of experiences technically considered
observation can generate you might conduct a and perspectives, all of which quantitative, but the primary
qualitative data, as well. semistructured interview with is qualitative data. goal is find out why people
open-ended and probing ranked items the way they
questions to get qualitative did, which is qualitative data.
data. Key informant
interviews are typically
qualitative, while surveys are
generally quantitative. You
generally would not want to
combine both qualitative and
quantitative data collection in
the same interview.

Formal or Either. Informally, it means Usually formal and based Formal. FGDs have a specific Formal. You go in knowing
informal? paying purposeful attention around pre-determined purpose and utilize planned what items you want to rank
to the context, such as field information needs. While you questions. Based on the and into which categories.
staff noticing a change in the might have conversations group’s discussion and You generally also have
community and noting it for with individuals or families as answers, you can follow up predetermined discussion
further discussion. part of your informal with more probing questions. questions to probe into the
monitoring activities, an ranking results.
Formally, it means looking for interview or household survey
specific things or changes, is a formal, structured
such as using a checklist activity.
during a post-construction
observation to monitor
whether certain construction
techniques were utilized.
Specific Monitoring Methods
Direct Observation Surveys/Interviews Focus Group Discussions Pile-Ranking Exercises
(FGD)
What are theThis method can only be used Interviews and surveys may Focus group discussions can Pile-ranking has a very narrow
limitations?for anything that can be not be reliable for getting be influenced by one strong use. It can be an effective
visually observed or inspected information on practices. Self- participant and can fail to technique for understanding
and for behaviors that are reported behaviors may be represent the general position the usefulness of items, but is
frequent enough to be influenced by what the of the group. FGDs are not not used for other
captured during monitoring. respondents think we want to appropriate for determining information needs.
As such, it cannot be used to hear. individual behavior change or
determine feelings or generalizing responses to
perceptions. represent a community.
Recommended Light monitoring of Learning what people feel or Qualitative data from specific Determining the relative
use? observable behaviors or like, what they know, and groups about specific issues usefulness of items or services
characteristics, often used to what they do (although self- and why changes have or provided. This is also a great
validate other monitoring reported practices should be haven’t occurred. FGDs are technique for participants
methods. verified through observation, typically used to help who cannot read (and
if possible). Surveys and interpret quantitative data. therefore can’t answer survey
interviews are most useful to This is an especially effective questions).
validate individual knowledge, method for comparing
to determine preferences or feedback from various groups,
recommended changes, to such as FGDs with male
identify possible issues or to versus female residents, or
verify coverage of the comparing people who do or
response. don’t use the latrines.
Interviews with key
informants, such as
community leaders or
technical experts, might also
help identify potential groups
that are doing less well or
might need more assistance
or community-level issues
such as tension between
beneficiaries and non-
beneficiaries.
Specific Monitoring Methods

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