Further Analysis MICS3 Regional Workshop on Data Archiving and Dissemination Alexandria, Egypt 3-7 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 arts 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 Arts 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 what when who how much/many where 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 data sources in the past to show how changes have occurred, draw conclusion about possible 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