1. Session 1 – Study Objectives
Survey Training Pack
Session 1 – Study Objectives

2. Survey aims and objectives
Is there a difference?
If yes, what is the difference?
“Aims” are broad statements of desired outcomes or ‘goals of the study’
Always related to your M&E plan
“Objectives” are more specific, measurable, and link to aims, often referred as the ‘purpose of the study’
Always related to your M&E plan (or matrix)
Generally corresponding to indicators that you need to measure
In order to ensure that we have well understood the different between ‘objectives’ and ‘aims’ let us explore one example together. We will select an example which is relevant to the health sector. Through the broad health work which we carry out in Mtwara and Lindi regions, we hope that our interventions contribute to improving the quality of life of recipient communities by improving their health. On the basis of this understanding, what would you consider to be an aim and an objective of a survey?

3. What are study objectives?
Detailed definition of intended outputs – this should be directly linked to indicators that respond to
Donor requirements
Programme learning needs that extend beyond donor requirements
Programme strategy development needs
Your objectives help you delimit study population in space and in time
Study objectives should also be verifiable, measurable and time-bound (just like your indicators)

4. Study population Population for which we need to generate estimates
For our specific survey, how would you define the study population?
Often population can be divided into well-defined groups
For our specific survey, what defined groups would you consider?

5. Rice Adoption Survey
Implemented in the 2012/2013 season by the Coastal Rural Support Programme in Tanzania
Project funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID)
This survey responds directly to (1) donor requirements; and (2) programme learning needs

6. Logframe
IMPACT: Enhanced economic wellbeing of CRSP(T)’s beneficiaries in Mtwara and Lindi Regions
OUTCOME: Increased income for 44,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries of CRSP(T) interventions (rice, sesame, CA producers)
Note for the facilitator: the definitions provided below are those that can be found in the following document ‘Aga Khan Foundation Rural Development (2013). Designing and Implementing M&E Systems’
Activity: Visible and planned action (or intervention) through which inputs, such as funds, technical assistance and other types of resources are mobilised to produce specific outputs/deliverables. An activity is not a task. Generally, a group of tasks related to organising training, for instance, are part of an activity which is conducting the training.
Assumption: The variables or factors that we rely on to be in place for expected results to be achieved successfully. Assumptions can be internal or external to the programme or organisation.
Goal: A change that occurs as a consequence of achieved outcomes. A sustainable change of state, individuals, entities and/or systems.
Indicator: Quantitative or qualitative information that provides a simple and reasonably reliable basis for assessing achievement, change or performance. Quantitative indicators measure change in a numerical way. Qualitative indicators provide descriptive data on changes in attitudes, perceptions and roles. Indicators are 'signals'. Ideally, they are stated in a neutral way without a direction or a target and are used to measure the progress toward the achievement of results. Indicators should be gender-sensitive, to the extent that is possible.
Method: The way in which information is collected for each indicator. There are quantitative methods such as sample surveys or census surveys and qualitative methods such as individual interviews or focus group discussions. The selection of method depends on how precise your information needs to be, how in-depth the information needs to be, the level of representation, what we want to measure, and what resources (human and financial) exist for this effort.
Outcome: The expected change that occurs once outputs are achieved. Outcomes are generally sustainable changes in behaviour, practices or state of individuals, entities, systems.
Output: Outputs are products or services which result from a bundle of completed activities. Under each output a series or ‘bundle’ of activities are required in order for an output to be achieved. Outputs are the part of the results chain that along with activities can be budgeted, managed, and controlled by staff whereas staff has less “control” over outcomes.
OUTPUT 1
OUTPUT 2: Increased adoption of improved farming systems and technologies by producers
OUTPUT 7 …
OUTPUTS 3 and 5

7. Indicators DfID Project Indicators measured in Rice Adoption Survey:
Outcome indicator #2: Average yield per crop during the last season disaggregated by type of crop, beneficiary status and region
Output indicator 2.2: Percentage of directly trained producers/households adopting at least 3 improved rice, sesame and CA practices during the last season disaggregated by type of crop and type of technology
Output indicator 5.1: Percentage of targeted rice and sesame farmers using targeted services disaggregated by type of targeted support service and crop

8. Indicators DfID Project Indicators measured in Rice Adoption Survey:
Outcome indicator #2: Average yield per crop during the last season disaggregated by type of crop, beneficiary status and region
Output indicator 2.2: Percentage of directly trained producers/households adopting at least 3 improved rice, sesame and CA practices during the last season disaggregated by type of crop and type of technology
Output indicator 5.1: Percentage of targeted rice and sesame farmers using targeted services disaggregated by type of targeted support service and crop

9. Indicators DfID Project Indicators measured in Rice Adoption Survey:
Output indicator 3.1: Percentage of direct and indirect beneficiary farmers who have access to productivity related advisory services disaggregated by type of service and sex
Output indicator 3.2: Producer perception of productivity related technical advisory services provided by service providers disaggregated by service provider
Output indicator 3.3: Percentage of farmers who have access to extension services independent from CRSP(T) (i.e. not managed or paid by CRSP[T])

10. SMART Indicators Specific – in terms of quantity, quality and time
Measurable – objectively verifiable at acceptable costs
Achievable – from existing sources or with reasonable efforts
Relevant– to the needs and priorities of the target community
Timely – to ensure usefulness to managers

11. Exercise
Watch and listen to video describing a survey conducted by the Coastal Rural Support Programme in Tanzania (CRSP[T]) in 2013 on rice adoption
In groups review the study objectives that were developed by CRSP(T)
Are they smart?
How would you improve these study objectives? On what basis?

12. Summary Study objectives must be clear and concise
A well-defined logframe and evaluation plan helps in developing objectives
Direct links between study objectives and specific indicators in the logframe
A systematic approach is essential