Step 2: How to carry out data collection – specific guidance

This step provides tips on how to carry out data collection with gender equality in mind.

Develop tools that interrogate gender and intersecting inequalities and power dynamics

  • When developing data collection tools, it is useful to include specific questions to explore participants’ views and experiences of gender equality, intersecting inequalities and power dynamics in the context under evaluation.
  • It is important to anticipate and have plans in place to address the risks involved in discussing these issues, which may be highly personal and sensitive for participants. These may include, for example, having ready a list of helplines or local support services.

Assess the relative benefits of in-person versus online data collection

  • While in-person data collection may support building rapport between data collectors and participants, it can also be more burdensome and costly for evaluation teams.
  • Online data collection can help you extend your reach to locations that are difficult to access and enable those with caring responsibilities at home to participate. At the same time, it may also be a barrier to participation among those who are less computer-literate or have limited internet connectivity (e.g. some older women and those living in rural areas).

Ensure equitable sampling

  • A gender-balanced sample of participants, across groups, should be sought wherever this is methodologically and practically feasible. For populations in which a particular gender is under-represented, gender-balanced participant samples can enable the amplification of marginalised voices.
  • Consider what steps you can take to address barriers to participation for those who are most marginalised because of a range of intersecting disadvantages, to avoid gender and other forms of bias in the data collected. You can, for example, ensure that recruitment materials are fully accessible and transparent about what participation involves and why it matters.

Continuously reflect on and adapt to emerging issues

  • Data collection plans should be reasonably flexible, to adapt to new information and the unforeseen realities of fieldwork.
  • Consider how you can ‘ring’- fence time throughout the fieldwork period for regular reflection on emerging issues. These might include, for example, ethical dilemmas, respondent availability, or socioeconomic, political and environmental changes.