DETERMINANTS OF DATA USE

Session 2

Session Objectives

Explain the data-use conceptual framework

Highlight the determinants of data use

List potential barriers to data use

Introduce the Assessment of Barriers to Data Use tool

Session Overview

Determinants of data use

Barriers to data use

Assessing Barriers to Data Use

Small Group Activity 2: Action Plan to Address Barriers to Data Use

Data Demand & Use

What Determines Data Demand & Use?

-

ORGANIZATIONALTECHNICAL

BEHAVIORAL

* Based on PRISM analytical framework (LaFond, Fields et al. (2005). The PRISM: An analytical framework for understanding performance of health information systems in developing countries. MEASURE Evaluation).

Data often are underutilized because of…

Technical constraints

Technical skills

Availability of computers

Data system design

Definition of indicators

Lack of data quality assurance protocols

Data often are underutilized because of…

Organizational constraints

Structural – roads, telecommunications

Organizational – clarity of roles, support, flow of information

Political interference

Data are often underutilized because of…

Individual constraints

Decision-maker attitudes

Staff motivation

Lack of “data culture”

What Determines Data Demand & Use?

ORGANIZATIONALTECHNICAL

BEHAVIORALPOLITICS

CULTURE

SOCIETY

* Based on PRISM analytical framework (LaFond, Fields et al. 2005 The PRISM: An Analytical Framework for Understanding Performance of Health Information Systems in Developing Countries. MEASURE Evaluation).

What barriers have you faced to using or getting others to use data and

information?

Group Participation

Assessment of Data Use Constraints Tool

Purpose To improve understanding of the demand for data and the

constraints on data use

Description Key informant interview guide designed to identify

constraints

Identifies effective practices in data use

Two versions - Facility level assessment & national and subnational assessments

Assessment of Data Use Constraints ToolTechnical Constraints

Technical constraints are related to the ability to generate high-quality data and analyses.

RA8 Have you ever had an experience while making a policy or program-related decision when you were concerned about the quality of the information being used?

RA9 Are there multiple sources of information or statistics for issues of importance to you, and have you experienced any problems caused by having different estimates?

RA10 I am interested in knowing about technical capacity for collecting and using information. Does your agency have the technical capacity to produce reliable information without a lot of external technical assistance?

RA11 Does your agency have the technical capacity to ensure access to and availability of reliable data?

RA12 Has there been an occasion when data quality or local technical capacity made it difficult for you to use information in making a decision?

RA13 How would you have gone about preventing this situation?

Barrier: Steps Involved

PersonResponsible

Other Stake-holders

General Timeline

Action Plan for Addressing Barriers to Data Use

Key Messages

Determinants of data use are technical, behavioral, and organizational

Decision making occurs within political, cultural, and social contexts

The Assessment of Data Use Constraints tool can help to clarify the barriers in your organization

Plan interventions to overcome barriers to data use

Small Group Activity 2: InstructionsChoose a reporter.

Discuss barriers to data use experienced in your work. Here are some questions to start your discussion:

Have you ever had an experience while making a policy or program-related decision when you were concerned about the quality of the information being used?

Does your agency have the technical capacity to ensure access to and availability of reliable data?

What specific challenges have you experienced among your staff when it comes to using data?

How does your organization support having the necessary information to make decisions?

Time for activity: 1 hour

Barrier: Lack of technical capacity in M&E

Steps Involved

PersonResponsible

Other Stake-holders

General Timeline

Proposed Intervention: Train all program managers in X organization on basic monitoring and evaluation (indicators, developing M&E plan, documenting results, managing toward results, etc.)

Identify funding

Director Deputy, program mgr

January2008

Seek out trainers and curricula

M&E Specialist

Deputy director, Training coordinator

February 2008

Action Plan for Addressing Barriers to Data Use

Small Group Activity: Report Back

Share priority barriers

Discuss solutions crafted

Present action plan for two priority barriers

Time for report back: Each group has 10–15 minutes

THANK YOU!MEASURE Evaluation is a MEASURE project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by the

Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partnership with Futures Group International, ICF Macro, John Snow, Inc., Management Sciences for Health, and Tulane University. Views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the U.S. Government.

MEASURE Evaluation is the USAID Global Health Bureau's primary vehicle for supporting improvements in monitoring and evaluation in

population, health, and nutrition worldwide.

Visit us online at http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure