About this course
Concentrates on designing the tools used to collect research data. Delegates turn research objectives into variables and questions, write and order questionnaire items, choose response scales, design interview and focus group guides and observation checklists, and test instruments for validity and reliability through piloting. Informed consent, translation into local languages and preparing instruments for electronic data capture are also covered.
Why this course
A flawed questionnaire cannot be fixed at the analysis stage. Leading, ambiguous or irrelevant questions waste fieldwork budgets and produce results that cannot support policy or business decisions. Well-designed and piloted instruments give organisations data that answers the questions they actually need answered.
What delegates will be able to do
By the end of the course, delegates will be able to
- Translate research objectives into measurable variables and specific questions
- Write clear, neutral questionnaire items with suitable response scales
- Design an interview or focus group guide with probes and logical flow
- Plan and run a pilot test and revise the instrument based on results
- Assess an instrument for validity, reliability and ethical risks
Who should attend
Researchers, survey designers, monitoring and evaluation officers, economists and policy analysts in central banks, ministries and public institutions who plan surveys, interviews or evaluations. Some exposure to research methods is helpful.
How it is delivered
Practical sessions where delegates draft, critique and pilot instruments for their own projects, with facilitator review and peer testing. It is available as a public course, in-house at your premises, or as live virtual sessions. Duration and dates are confirmed in your quote, and in-house groups can have the examples and exercises fitted to their organisation.