Food and Nutrition Surveillance and Response in Emergencies Session 10 Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Nutrition Situation Analysis

2 Introduction Analysis of elements of food chain and their interactions needs to be done to understand the whole spectrum of food and nutrition securityAnalysis of elements of food chain and their interactions needs to be done to understand the whole spectrum of food and nutrition security Formulation of strategies and design of effective interventions require comprehensive assessments and cooperation of a variety of disciplinesFormulation of strategies and design of effective interventions require comprehensive assessments and cooperation of a variety of disciplines

3 Introduction Challenge is to create methodologies that are relevant, multi-disciplinary and comprehensiveChallenge is to create methodologies that are relevant, multi-disciplinary and comprehensive Rapid Assessments are the new methodologies responsive to this challenge.Rapid Assessments are the new methodologies responsive to this challenge.

4 What is a Rapid Assessment (RA)? Has origin and application in rural development research and nutrition researchHas origin and application in rural development research and nutrition research A systematic activity designed to draw inferences, conclusions, hypotheses or assessments including the acquisition of new information during a limited period of time.A systematic activity designed to draw inferences, conclusions, hypotheses or assessments including the acquisition of new information during a limited period of time.

5 Characteristics of RA? Offers the balance and interaction between (emic), local or indigenous perspective and the (etic), outside or experts perspectives from anthropological point of viewOffers the balance and interaction between (emic), local or indigenous perspective and the (etic), outside or experts perspectives from anthropological point of view Pays attention to the cultural, traditional and social factors the target problems as well as knowledge of the beneficiaries.Pays attention to the cultural, traditional and social factors the target problems as well as knowledge of the beneficiaries.

6 Characteristics of RA? Procedures are primarily direct observations, informal conversations, key informant interviews concerned with knowledge, attitudes and practiceProcedures are primarily direct observations, informal conversations, key informant interviews concerned with knowledge, attitudes and practice

7 How is RA Used? To enhance the understanding of the rural conditions in their natural contextTo enhance the understanding of the rural conditions in their natural context To tap knowledge of local inhabitants and combining the knowledge with modern scientific expertise BUT minimizing prior assumptionsTo tap knowledge of local inhabitants and combining the knowledge with modern scientific expertise BUT minimizing prior assumptions

8 Qualitative Methods Focus Group DiscussionsFocus Group Discussions ObservationsObservations Key InformantsKey Informants Case Histories/StudiesCase Histories/Studies

9 Focus Group Discussions What is FGD A structured group process used to obtain detailed information about a particular situationA structured group process used to obtain detailed information about a particular situationUses For exploring attitudes and feelings For exploring attitudes and feelings To draw out precise issues that may be unknown to the investigator To draw out precise issues that may be unknown to the investigator

10 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Composition of FGD 6-9 participants brought together to discuss a clearly defined topic 6-9 participants brought together to discuss a clearly defined topic Composed of homogeneous people representing a particular segment of population (e.g. gender, age social group-pastoralists, internally displaced persons) Composed of homogeneous people representing a particular segment of population (e.g. gender, age social group-pastoralists, internally displaced persons)

11 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Timing A group session should last 1 to 1 and a half hours, maximum 2 hours. A group session should last 1 to 1 and a half hours, maximum 2 hours. Facilitator keeps discussion n track by asking a series of open ended questions to stimulate discussions Facilitator keeps discussion n track by asking a series of open ended questions to stimulate discussions

12 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Advantages Easy to undertake Easy to undertake Results obtained in a short time Results obtained in a short time Social interactions in the group produces freer and more complex responses Social interactions in the group produces freer and more complex responses The investigator can probe for clarification and solicit greater details The investigator can probe for clarification and solicit greater details

13 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Disadvantages Groups are often difficult to assemble Groups are often difficult to assemble Individual responses are not independent of each other Individual responses are not independent of each other Group is hand selected therefore the results may not be representative of the general population Group is hand selected therefore the results may not be representative of the general population

14 Observation Observations generates questions for further investigations Observations generates questions for further investigations Attendance at participation in activities, formal and informal Attendance at participation in activities, formal and informal Structure counting (quantitative) observation yields useful preliminary information on physical features Structure counting (quantitative) observation yields useful preliminary information on physical features Structures, sample (quantitative and qualitative) Structures, sample (quantitative and qualitative)

15 Observation Transect. Offers an overview of the field site and structured observation on natural resource and human activity Transect. Offers an overview of the field site and structured observation on natural resource and human activity Record who walked the transect and at what time Record who walked the transect and at what time Helps build rapport with the locals Helps build rapport with the locals

16 Key Informant Interviews Obtaining information from a community resident who is in a position to know the community as a whole, or a particular area of interest. Obtaining information from a community resident who is in a position to know the community as a whole, or a particular area of interest. The person can be a profession person who works with the population you want information about, or a member of the target population The person can be a profession person who works with the population you want information about, or a member of the target population Key informants can be young or old Key informants can be young or old

17 Key Informant Interviews Advantages provides in-depth information about causes of the problem provides in-depth information about causes of the problem Allows to clarify ideas and information on continual basis Allows to clarify ideas and information on continual basis Can easily combine with quantitative information Can easily combine with quantitative information

18 Key Informant Interviews Disadvantages Informants may give you their own impression and biases Informants may give you their own impression and biases May have to be combined with other methods, because achieving representativeness of the total community is difficult May have to be combined with other methods, because achieving representativeness of the total community is difficult May overlook the perspectives of community members who are less visible May overlook the perspectives of community members who are less visible The information may be difficult to quantify and organise The information may be difficult to quantify and organise

19 Qualitative vs. Qualitative QualitativeQuantitative Lower numbers of respondentsHigher numbers of respondents Open-ended questions and probing yield detailed information that highlights diversity Specific questions obtain predetermined responses to standardized questions Data collection techniques vary e.g. FGD, Key informant, observations Relies on surveys as the main method of data collection More suitable when resources and time are limited Relies on more extensive interviewing Empowering and participatoryNot empowering

20 Qualitative vs. Qualitative QualitativeQuantitative InterpretsDescribes Sampling depends on what needs to be learned-Purposive sampling Sampling focuses on probability and representativeness Explores causalitySuggests causality

21 Qualitative Methods Strengths Provides vital information on attitudes and practice Provides vital information on attitudes and practice Findings from qualitative research can be used to base qualitative research Findings from qualitative research can be used to base qualitative research Can easily combine with quantitative information Can easily combine with quantitative information

22 Qualitative Methods Weaknesses Small samples invalidates generalization of results Small samples invalidates generalization of results Non scientific- Non scientific-

23 Quantitative Methods Strengths Used to gather large amount of data Used to gather large amount of data Features a high level of reliability Features a high level of reliability Findings can be tested using statistical means, helping one to be sure of its reliability Findings can be tested using statistical means, helping one to be sure of its reliability

24 Quantitative Methods Weaknesses Rigid approach and attempts to control all the variable factors that might influence findings Rigid approach and attempts to control all the variable factors that might influence findings Inappropriate to measure human knowledge attitude and practice Inappropriate to measure human knowledge attitude and practice Insensitive to complexities of human interactions Insensitive to complexities of human interactions

25 Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Blending of methods captures a more complete, holistic and contextual portrayal of the subject under study.Blending of methods captures a more complete, holistic and contextual portrayal of the subject under study. Weakness and limitations of each method are counterbalanced therefore neutralizes rather than compounding the problemsWeakness and limitations of each method are counterbalanced therefore neutralizes rather than compounding the problems

26 Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Coding responses to open ended questions generated from quantitative enquiries.Coding responses to open ended questions generated from quantitative enquiries. Using statistical methods to analyse ranked data sets arising from participatory enquiries i.e. creating frequency tables from the coded dataUsing statistical methods to analyse ranked data sets arising from participatory enquiries i.e. creating frequency tables from the coded data

27 Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Using participatory techniques in exploratory studies to set up hypotheses which can then be tested through questionnaire based sample surveys.Using participatory techniques in exploratory studies to set up hypotheses which can then be tested through questionnaire based sample surveys. Choosing a random sample and conducting a questionnaire survey (quantitative) to gain information on key variables for in-depth qualitative surveyChoosing a random sample and conducting a questionnaire survey (quantitative) to gain information on key variables for in-depth qualitative survey