1 From Stories to From Stories to Formal Data Session 9

2 Data Collection - Women’s Centres Sri Lanka QUALITATIVE DATA Women’s Stories – Women’s Evidence

3 STEP 1  Organise the information into Themes e.g.  Domestic violence  Risks for adolescent girls  Grief  Forced marriage  Early Marriage  Special Problems for widows

4 STEP 2 Identify details within the themes e.g.  Domestic violence details  Lack of privacy in camps and temporary shelters  Alcohol consumption by men  Family breakdown due to death  Patriarchal attitudes

5 STEP 3  Record the types of assistance requested, eg, housing, protection, income generation  Record solutions suggested by the women, eg Family reconciliation, involvement in decision making committees, micro credit schemes

6 QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION Collecting quantitative data during this process

7 STEP 1 Keep basic data of women who use the Centre or engage with the Centre programs and staff. e.g.  Age  Education Level  Family structure  Religion  Language  Tsunami Affected Women

8 Each month compile a profile of the women who have used the Centre STEP 2

9 Deriving quantitative data from all sources of qualitative evidence. Any mix following might be used:  Personal Interviews  Counseling  Story circles  Storyboard work  Group work. In each case, the data must be formally recorded permission must be given for its use. A Centre may collect 50 documented stories (evidence) using any of these methods in a month. STEP 3

10 Record: How many of the stories reported a problem which fits into the themes. e.g. how many of the stories reported widow’s being harassed and how many reported widows being thrown out of their homes. Types of help requested Suggested solutions STEP 4

11 STEP 5 BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER – GIVING WOMEN A VOICE Prepare a report which combines the profile of the women who have attended the Centre, the problems which they have reported, and the themes which have emerged from your analysis. NB: Reports can be monthly, three monthly, six monthly and annual.

12 The books about women’s strengths are additional to these reports but they come out of the qualitative information gathered. The “Book” project will create more opportunities for women to give evidence. BOOKS CELEBRATING WOMEN’S STRENGTHS

13 What is the difference between story telling and story documentation? Interviewing techniques Recording techniques Data analysis Use of forms Human Rights DocumentationTechniques