No Baseline, No Worry

MEL professionals often worried about the baseline. The worries includes baseline value, methods for baseline establishment and much more satisfying the project colleges/stakeholders. Further worries worsen when project executives did not bother to have baseline in the start of project. Should project collect baseline data mandatorily? I say "Yes" if project is in initial phase. Here, collection does not mean, it should be primary data collection. May adopt any method, but should have baseline at least in intended project result indicators. What if it is in mid-time or end phase of project? I say "No Worry".

Baseline is just a benchmark. What is the height of Mount Everest? Everybody knows it is 8848 meter. What is the baseline for the height of Mount Everest? It is a Sea which is marked as zero "0" value for to measure any height of earth surface. If sea was marked as 1000 meter, the height of Mount Everest would be 9848 meter.

Similarly, what is the freezing temperature of water? Is it 0 °C or 32 °F? Both are right. Here you should make attention on the unit of measurement. In the Celsius measurement unit the value is "0" and in Fahrenheit measurement unit the value is "32".

Definitely, the measurement of Human characteristic is complex than properties of physical materials. It can make a sense, utilizing appropriate methods and tools. How should we measure the awareness level of people? Certainly, we should face the lack in universal unit and method to measure the awareness level of people? I think it is not a problem, until you follow, M&E professional ethics and integrity. Just like, freezing fact of water do not differ whether you measure in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The difference of height between sea and peak of Mount Everest remain same whether you give "0" or "1000" value to sea level. 

The following figure is from the Linkedin post by Ann-Murray A. Brown. This is about "Three Things you can do if you did not collect baseline data." This could be mantra to lessen the worry of M&E professionals.

Data analysis explained in one shot !

Data analysis and result presentation are fundamental work of M&E. The literature on data analysis goes to many tons and it should be. We can go deeper as we discussed more. But the essence of data analysis should not be forgotten. Sometimes we lost in jumble of data set. Many times we could not able to direct/advise data analyst what to do with data.

I found following figure in LinkedIn that explained in one shot about the essence of data analysis. I supposed this could be tagged in the desk of M&E professionals.

Ethical issue in M&E and Learning

I have been taking online course in www.philanthropyu.org on "From Data Collection to data use". This is specialized course I ever found in M&E learning.

The course discuss on ethical principle in first module. This is very much mind blowing to me. I think, should it be for M&E professional and practitioner: either individual or organization.

Source: from google search

Ethics is not more than correct moral behavior. The course module one explains "Ethics are a big deal in M&E. If used properly, M&E is a tool for distinguishing truth from fiction and for creating just, positive solutions. If unethical choices are made, however, it can be difficult to know what is true. Poor, unwise, or unjust decisions can be made. Even worse, your data practices may endanger the very people you hope to help."

Ethics is not a rule neither can trial under any law in the court.It is a behavior that is anticipated by society, stakeholders or peers. Most of the time, M&E professionals have to face ethical dilemma: A choice where every option has some ethical issues.

The following are some ethical standard that should better followed:

1) Do no harm: For example-informed consent for data collection and data use. Keeping respondents data anonymous and confidential.

2) Honesty: For example- Ensuring accurate data and data analysis as well as accurate result presentation. Presenting the limitation of result and findings. Disclosing the organizational interest with the outcome.

3) Competence: From vast tools and processes one should use in which she/he is confident and skillful and use competently. The competency can be improved through continuous learning and practice.

Not following the ethical issue will result the questioning towards the credibility of M&E. The donors, stakeholders and beneficiary will loose trust on M&E. Ultimately M&E profession shall be in limbo.

Why monitoring and evaluation (M&E) matters?

What is M&E? If you google, lot of definition can be found and accustomed. The commonly agreed points are, it is about collection and analysis of information. Does it sound something like doing a job of intelligence agency? Absolutely not.

Photo credit: WASH MEL project (taken from online google search)

The many definitions about M&E found in google fails to describe the collection and analysis of information of what? I think this should be from the perspective of human dimension.

The project performed and targets are achieved, after all projects are attributed as successful. The general perception holds, if progress of project achieved then the goal of project fulfilled. This is valid only on the basis of probability: may be or may not be. Since how anyone can claim the goal or result of project achieved just by fulfilling the outputs or delivering the project deliverable?

Here's come the issue of M&E. The collection and analysis of information. The information of what? Though, the project information are essential for M&E process. The information collection from the project beneficiary side is vital one. Whether it may be baseline, mid-line or end-line. Only project goal can be realized when systematically assessed from the project beneficiary side.This involves human dimension and require statistic.

The study on characteristic and dynamism of human/society is different from physical science. It is unpredictable and most of the time unknown. Unlike elements of physical science, humans vary from each other may it be from imagination, feeling and any other. The variable characteristic and dynamism of human/society can only be summarized quantitatively or qualitatively to make a sense. But not definitely like in physical science.

If any project claimed I have reduced the poverty from my project, my organization made disaster resilient society, I question really, what are the evidences???? They answer really and claim: we have this model and done this and that. None claim I have credible evidence from my beneficiary. You can also check or research. So, that's why M&E matter, for to enhance projects' credibility on results and for to really worth the efforts and expenditures.