MICS4 Survey Design Workshop Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Survey Design Workshop How to Customize MICS4 Questionnaires to Countries

Session Objectives 1.To review criteria that should be used to determine the content of country surveys 2.To understand the basic rules that need to be followed during the customization/adaptation process MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customization/Adaptation Necessary for at least two basic reasons: –No single country is expected or recommended to use all of the modules in standard questionnaires –No single standard questionnaire can accurately represent all human experience around the globe MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customization: The Basic Rule Customize to country needs, but do not compromise global comparability MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Translation –To major languages Customization of Modules, Questions and Response Categories –Addition –Deletion –Change/Revise MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customizing Content (to Exclude) Relevance –Exclude topics which are not relevant – malaria related modules in non-endemic countries, female genital mutilation/cutting Applicability –Use of the child mortality module in low mortality settings Overall size of questionnaires –Optimum size – curb your enthusiasm MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customizing Content (to Exclude) Priorities –Decide on priorities Intention –How the data will be used Technical considerations –Availability of data from other sources, recent or expected, quality of data from other sources

Customizing Content (to Add) Adding modules/questions not part of MICS Overall size is always an issue Use only well tested, validated questions or modules Need to know indicators, tabulation, analysis and use beforehand Ensure that the add-on modules/topics are relevant, easily harmonized, comply with the methodology

Adapting / Customizing Questionnaires First, decide on the indicators Identify modules which collect necessary data on numerators and denominators of your indicators Once modules are selected assess the length of questionnaires – for obvious reasons do not overload the questionnaires MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Adapting / Customizing Questionnaires Remember that the inclusion/exclusion of one module or question might influence another; Check for all skips MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customisation Rules Retain the same question numbers even if questions within the module have been excluded. –This is to assist the stage of data processing and for having datasets which are globally comparable. –It will also prevent skip pattern problems –It does not matter if the numbering is not completely sequential. MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customisation Rules If extra questions are added, do not assign new numbers that are already being used in the model questionnaire If new questions are included, assign them new numbers – if necessary, use A, B, C etc, such as HA4A, HA4B to be inserted between HA4 and HA5 Retain Latin characters in question numbers MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customisation Rules Understand what response categories are attempting to capture Country-specific response categories may be already there, under a different terminology Use the pretest to see –if changes have affected the flow of the questionnaires –if response categories are comprehensive –if translated questionnaires are working MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customisation Rules Be cautious about changing the ordering of modules If not absolutely necessary, do not change ordering of modules or questions MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Customisation Rules It is very important that the eligibility criteria, usually expressed in age ranges, not be changed. –Changes may result in the inability to measure the indicator Change can only be done to capture a wider group, e.g. asking questions about age group 2-14 rather than 2-9 MICS4 Survey Design Workshop

Technical support Share your questionnaires and plans with the Regional Office and UNICEF HQ The process to do this will be discussed during the workshop MICS4 Survey Design Workshop