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Lead the implementation of WASH assessment or train partners to do it
The coordination platform is sometimes responsible to lead WASH assessments and is frequently in charge of delivering training for partners on assessment methodologies. WASH coordination platform staff must be competent to carry out WASH assessments, from design and data collection, to analysis and reporting.
A WASH assessment cycle typically involves the following steps:
Set the objectives and scope
Define in a TOR (see xxx in the Key Guidance and Tools) the research questions, the geographical areas and population groups to be covered. Detail your information needs, focusing generally on the needs and vulnerabilities of affected people, but also on aspects related to access, operational feasibility and response modalities, etc. Set the timeframe of the assessment and the information products that will be produced.
Develop indicators and questions
Develop a list of indicators that will allow you to meet the information needs identified in the previous steps. In any case, remember to include the WASH core indicators. The GWC has developed an indicator and question bank (see in the key guidance and tools section) that you can use to develop your own list.
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Data is more and more collected through mobile data collection systems, such as Kobo and ODK: this allows easier data management. In the key guidance and tools section you will find guidance on how to set up and use mobile data collection systems.
Design the methodology
To design the methodology, consideration should be given to both the objectives of the assessment, and constraints such as time, resources, access, etc.
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- Unit of measurement, which is the level the data is collected at (e.g. individual, household, institution/infrastructure, community, area). This will have an influence on the type of data collected: the higher the level, the less reliable is the answer of the interviewee.
- Data-collection methods (e.g. direct observation, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, community discussions, key-informant interviews, household interviews, etc.): in the key guidance and tools section can be found a table detailing pros and cons of the different data collection methods.
- Sampling methods, or in other words the criteria you will use to select the respondents. There are two main types of sampling: probability sampling – in which respondents are selected randomly and every person in the sampling frame has the same chance of being selected, and non-probability sampling – in which respondents are not selected randomly. Probability samplings are much more resource-intensive but can generate statistically significant findings, while non-probability samplings are often lighter in terms of resources but generate findings that are indicative only. For this reason, there is always a tradeoff between representativeness of findings and cost/time constraints.
Follow up data collection
Ensuring close follow up during the collection phase will improve the quality and timeliness of data. It is key that progress and challenges of data collection is regularly monitored. To achieve this, a matrix can be set up to track the number of forms that have been submitted, the areas that have been completed and the issues hampering progress. You need to check and clean data as soon as they come through to spot inconsistencies and follow up with the enumerators.
In the key guidance and tools section you will find templates of tracking matrices and data cleaning tools.
Analyze the data
Once data has been collected, analysis can start. This process should be guided by the analysis plan, as the indicators chosen must help answering the research questions of the assessment.
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In the key guidance and resource section can be find documents that describe possible approaches towards these different levels of analysis.
Share information
Findings should be disseminated in a timely and effective way. Different types of information products can be considered, including factsheets, maps, web-platforms, reports, etc. depending on the audience and the resources available. In the key guidance and tools section can be found templates as well as example of information products from past assessments.
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