Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL): 6 Methods of data collection and analysis

The quality and utility of monitoring, evaluation and research in our projects and programmes fundamentally relies on our ability to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data. Monitoring and evaluation plans, needs assessments, baseline surveys and situational analyses are all located within a project cycle and require high-quality data to inform evidence-based decision-making and programmatic learning. To achieve this it is useful to reflect on research practices, which in a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning context refers to the systematic investigation of programmes. Although this session targets monitoring and evaluation specialists, it is framed by the research agenda and will build on your existing knowledge of using different data collection methods in your project work.