Acquiring and Analysing Data in Support of Evidence-based Decisions: A Guide for Humanitarian Work

Gathering and analysing data – to study the consequences of crises and carry out activities in response – is an essential element of humanitarian work. It helps to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of such work, and enables accountability.

This book is a technical guide for field staff who, though not specialists in this area, need to collect and analyse data in connection with assessments and monitoring and evaluation. It covers everything from analysis design to the drawing of conclusions; and examines various approaches: qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method.

It was prepared with the ICRC’s Economic Security Unit in mind, and intended to serve the unit’s operational purposes. However, many aspects of the guide are also likely to be of use to humanitarian personnel working in areas other than economic security.