Given Hapunda

108 Introduction Data collection is a critical component in the implementation of monitoring and evaluation strategies. It can be used to understand different trends, track progress of a project and demonstrate results for monitoring and evaluation. Researchers need to carefully plan and have knowledge on different methods that can be used in the monitoring and evaluation of projects, programmes and policies. The purpose of this chapter is to provide practical explanations of various data collection methods that can be used in monitoring and evaluation of projects. There is a wide variety of data collection methods available and the chapter has been written with the understanding that it is not possible to exhaust all the methods of collection for monitoring and evaluation of projects. To this end, references that point the reader to available resources on a number of methods especially the ones that may not be covered in this chapter are given. In view of the above, this chapter provides descriptions and explanations on how and when various methods can be used. It also provides an overview of their advantages and disadvantages. The chapter highlights both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The data collection methods discussed in this chapter include: focus group discussions, direct observation, stakeholder analysis, document review, transects, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. These methods can be used on their own or as a combination. What is crucial is to ensure that key questions are formulated and indicators for the intended monitoring and evaluation exercise are identified. Focus Group Discussions This is a method of data collection in which a facilitator guides a discussion with the use of an interview guide on a particular topic. The participants consist of a small group of between six to twelve carefully selected participants. The purpose of focus group discussions is to collect rich and in-depth qualitative data on participants’ behaviour, beliefs, experiences, attitudes and perceptions towards certain phenomena. This method is helpful in gathering data from communities on how a particular project is performing or on what perceptions a community has on a given project. In focus group discussions, participants are usually composed of a homogenous group like those of the same sex, age group or social status or similar experiences. Heterogonous groups are discouraged because they inhibit participants from fully expressing their opinions in the presence of others. For example, in a project where the participation of women in a community is observed to be low, the evaluator may wish to conduct a focus group discussion with only female members of that given community. Another example in this regard is where one is dealing with a patriarchal society. In this case, a mixed focus group discussion of men and women