Further Analysis

MICS3 Regional Workshop on Data Archiving and Dissemination

Alexandria, Egypt3-7 March, 2007

Further Analysis

Not formally defined in literature. Term loosely used to refer to “more sophisticated analysis” usually in the statistical sense

The corresponding term may mean “beyond” or “more sophisticated” in different languages

For MICS: Any analysis of data after the main report that shows a new finding from the survey

Further Analysis

Further analysis in this sense is one of the weak aspects of the MICS process; the survey process usually ends when the main report is published

Possible further analysis work can perhaps be described along two dimensions - objective and depth of analysis

Objectives of Further Analysis

Programme design

Advocacy

Decision making

Scholarly research – art for art’s sake?

Methodological research

Programme Design

To use MICS results to target/divert resources to key focus/priority areas

Identifying the most disadvantaged/vulnerable, the achievers and their characteristics

Where is immediate action most needed?

Advocacy

To disseminate MICS results to influence public opinion, with new analytical approaches that would not be possible with the main reports

Highlight the consequences of certain problems

Bring certain issues to the forefront of public thinking

Decision Making

To put vital MICS results into the hands of high-level officials

By identifying the possible policy and programme implications of MICS results

Present survey estimates in a more accessible fashion; for example, convert survey estimates to absolute numbers

Scholarly Research: Art for Art’s Sake?

Studies looking at issues that are not of immediate concern or do not have immediate implications on action or policy

Pure research by social scientists

Possible long term implications on action or policy

Methodological Studies

Looking at the data itself

Further analysing specific attributes of the data sets, to identify patterns, errors, areas of improvement

Assessing the precision and accuracy of data

Depth of Analysis/Methodology/Approach

Same findings, different handling

“Unused data”

More sophisticated analysis

Comparative analysis

Trend analysis

Same Findings, Different Handling

Convert MICS “estimates” into absolute numbers

Look at associations previously not considered

Use MICS data with external information

Unused Data

MICS provides more than what is actually published in the main report

Although the content is very indicator-focused, there is still information in the data set not presented in the main report

e.g. household structure, tertiary attendance, sharing of sanitation facilities

More sophisticated analysis

The main report is descriptive: Provides a snapshot of the current situation at the time of the survey. Limited to showing the levels and patterns of selected indicators, shows associations in a bi-variate space

Quantitative household surveys such as MICS answer to questions such as

whatwhenwhohow much/manywhere

in a relatively reliable way, if good quality data is collected

More sophisticated analysis

With more sophisticated analysis, these questions can be better answered

From construction of indexes to multivariate analysis

! Quantitative household surveys are not designed to provide answers to “why” and “how” questions, but sophisticated analysis can isolate the net effects of various determinants on indicators, showing relationships in a purer fashion

Comparative Analysis

Within the data sets – comparing various/selected groups in more detail

With other data sets, other countries etc

Assessment of the situation in relative terms

Know data well before you embark on further analysis

Trend Analysis

Combine MICS data with other datasources in the past to show how changeshave occurred, draw conclusion aboutpossible future trends

Rules of thumb

Do not expect too much - do not underestimate the value of MICS data

Always begin with a question – analyse further if you have a question you want to answer

Care needed in comparisons, trend analysis

Identify the target audience, define your objectives well

Respect the multi-disciplinary nature of MICS topics, bring together experts from different areas

Do not re-invent – know previous studies and capitalize on them