Teaching Paper: Data Collection Tools for Monitoring and Evaluation
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Journal: NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies (ERDO)
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-datatools-2025
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About the Article
Reliable data collection is the foundation of effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), yet many organizations lack practical tools tailored to their needs. This Teaching Paper introduces four adaptable instruments—survey questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussion guides, and observation checklists—providing step-by-step templates for design and application. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent and cultural sensitivity, are emphasized throughout.
A case study from a maternal health project in Southeast Asia illustrates how combining surveys, focus groups, and observation checklists generated both quantitative and qualitative insights that improved program outcomes and community trust. The resource highlights common challenges such as poorly worded questions or facilitator bias, and offers strategies for overcoming them. Designed for students and practitioners alike, this Teaching Paper equips users with accessible, adaptable tools for credible and ethical data collection in diverse contexts.
Key Topics
- Practical templates for surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observation
- Ethical safeguards in data collection
- Case study: maternal health initiative in Southeast Asia
- Addressing challenges such as low response rates and facilitator bias
- Integrating quantitative and qualitative tools for mixed-method designs
- Reflection questions for organizational learning
- Adaptation of tools for low-resource or culturally diverse settings
Academic Value
This Teaching Paper bridges academic rigor and field practice by translating evaluation theory into usable instruments. It supports pedagogy in development and evaluation studies while providing ready-to-use resources for non-profit practitioners. By combining templates with reflection prompts and practical tips, it strengthens organizational capacity to conduct ethical, credible, and context-sensitive data collection.
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Data Collection Tools for Monitoring and Evaluation – Practical Templates for Surveys, Interviews, Focus Groups, and Observations. NEYA Global Publishing.
References
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Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching paper: Data collection tools for monitoring and evaluation. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-datatools-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching paper: Glossary of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) terms. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-teaching-ethical-glossary-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Data collection methods in monitoring and evaluation: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-me-datacollection-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Quantitative research methods. Neya Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/quantitative-research-methods-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Qualitative research methods. Neya Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/qualitative-research-methods-2025
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