Measurement and Survey Design Course 2019

Programme Objectives

Survey instruments represent one of the most commonly used tools for collecting primary data from individuals and groups. Several factors need to be considered, during the design and implementation phases, to ensure that data collected through survey instruments is reliable and accurate.

J-PAL/CLEAR SA’s Measurement and Survey Design Course is a three-day introductory course that provides a thorough, step-by-step introduction to basic concepts of measurement theory and quantitative survey design. The course draws on J-PAL SA’s vast experience in running randomised evaluations that involve extensive primary data collection. Through this course, participants will learn concepts related to what data to collect, how to design good survey instruments, why and how to pilot survey instruments, and how to develop field protocols, as well as best practices related to each.

Programme Focus

The course uses an array of pedagogical tools including lectures, supplemental case studies, and experiential exercises to increase participants’ understanding of the process of designing and implementing effective survey questionnaires that yield high quality data. The following key concepts are covered:

• Creating accurate and precise measurements (SMART indicators), particularly for concepts that are ‘hard to measure’
• Sources of measurement error and potential strategies to mitigate errors
• A step-by-step guide to designing a quantitative survey
• The advantages and disadvantages of paper and digital data collection
• Best practice for piloting survey instruments
• Strategies and suggestions for implementation monitoring, using examples from programmes evaluated by J-PAL affiliated researchers
• Considerations when designing field protocols to ensure survey quality, including structuring and training a field team
• Real world examples from J-PAL randomised evaluations of collecting quantitative data on topics such as education, health, gender, etc.
• Understanding and using the Theory of Change framework to inform indicator selection

We recommend that interested individuals review this sample agenda* to determine the applicability of the course content to their learning objectives.

Please note that the level of this course is basic to intermediate. It is intended for individuals who are looking to build their foundational understanding of the above concepts.

*Please note that this is a sample agenda provided for reference only. The final agenda for the 2019 course may vary.

Target Audience

The course content is geared towards imparting knowledge on practical and theoretical aspects of collecting data and would benefit individuals who will either be leading data collection efforts at their respective organisations or will be commissioning data collection to an external organisation. The course is specifically intended for researchers, M&E professionals and other individuals looking to build and/or refresh their knowledge of fundamental skills for collecting primary quantitative data.

The Measurement and Survey Design course has run since 2015 and has included participation from organisations such as Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, BRAC, British Council, CARE India, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Oxford Policy Management, Pratham, Population Council, TATA Sustainability Group, Water Aid, and NITI Aayog, among others. Previous participants have found the course to be relevant and useful for their work:

“The Measurement and Survey Design Course has been very useful to us. We applied learnings from this course to our ongoing baseline survey to help us fine-tune our tools and develop a field strategy. In addition, several new concepts shared helped us select questions and responses while designing the tools.”
(Participant, 2018)]

Key Information

Dates: 8 - 10 May 2019
Location: The Lalit, New Delhi, India
Contact: Bhakti Bhowmik, [email protected]

The last date for submission of applications is March 22, 2019. Apply here »

The fee structure for the 2019 course is as follows:

Fee includes the 3-day training with lunch, tea, and coffee as well as all course materials.

3ie Bursary

The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is offering bursaries for the Measurement and Survey Design course 2019 to a few selected candidates. The bursary programme is part of 3ie’s effort towards building capacity in conducting and using high-quality impact evaluations and systematic reviews that can generate policy-relevant evidence. Bursaries are awarded to researchers and policymakers from low-or-middle-income countries for training and conferences organised by 3ie or other organisations.

For each bursary award, 3ie will cover/reimburse the cost of course fee only. Costs associated with ground transportation such as airport transfer, local on-road transportation, flights, and meals and per diem/daily allowance will not be covered.

To be eligible for a 3ie bursary, applicants must be nationals and residents of low- or middle-income countries. Additionally, they should be actively engaged with local agencies, and not multilateral organisations. Additional eligibility criteria, as defined by organizers, may also apply.

Student scholarship

Additionally, J-PAL/CLEAR SA will be offering scholarship to one (1) student to attend our 2019 Measurement and Survey Design course. The scholarship is open only for individuals who are currently enrolled in full-time undergraduate or graduate studies. The scholarship will ONLY cover the full course fee for the selected student; travel, lodging and other incidental costs are not included. Kindly note, J-PAL/ CLEAR SA has no further awards beyond the above scholarship.

About J-PAL

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research centre working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of 171 affiliated professors at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomised impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.

J-PAL South Asia is based at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR). The South Asia regional office analyses and disseminates research results and builds partnerships with policymakers to ensure that policy is driven by evidence and that programmes proven effective are scaled up.

About CLEAR South Asia

In 2011, J-PAL South Asia at IFMR was selected to host the South Asia Centre for CLEAR (Centers for Learning on Evaluations and Results), a global initiative coordinated by the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group. Under this initiative, the Centre seeks to equip practitioners with the expertise to carry out rigorous evaluations through training courses, advisory services, joint research projects, and also host a knowledge sharing roundtable series on fundamental topics in monitoring and evaluation.