Research Design and Methodological Advisory

Support organizations and researchers in translating a problem or decision into a feasible, reviewable research question, design, instrument, and analysis plan.

• The problem is clear but the research question is not.
• An instrument requires review or reduction.
• There is uncertainty about sampling, indicators, or design.
• A team needs a quality or ethics protocol.
• A proposal or solicitation requires a defensible methodology.

• Define questions and theory of change or conceptual framework.
• Select design and data sources.
• Develop sample size and allocation.
• Draft questionnaires or interview guides.
• Create analysis plans and question-indicator matrices.
• Review risk, ethics, and data protection.
• Review existing proposals, reports, or instruments.

• Design and facilitation sessions.
• Desk review and options memorandum.
• Cognitive testing or instrument pilot.
• Simulation of sampling and nonresponse scenarios.
• Peer or independent review.

The study population, unit of analysis, and access frame are defined before implementation. Sampling is selected according to purpose, inference needs, resources, and risk. “Representative” is used only where the design supports it, and exclusions, nonresponse, and adjustments are documented.

• Review the question and instrument before fieldwork.
• Pilot or pretest where the assignment permits.
• Train researchers and standardize instructions.
• Monitor completion and apply consistency, duration, and location checks where appropriate.
• Use clear consent, voluntary participation, and harm minimization.
• Separate identifying information and restrict access.
• Document deviations, problems, and corrective action.

• Complete research protocol.
• Design-options matrix with benefits and risks.
• Revised questionnaire or interview guide.
• Sampling, analysis, and quality plans.
• Review memorandum with actionable comments.

• Advisory does not remove the implementing organization’s responsibility.
• The theoretically strongest method may not be feasible or safe.
• Professional judgment is distinguished from commissioner preference.
• Assumptions, alternatives, and trade-offs are documented.

Work begins with the question, intended audience, decision to be supported, relevant areas and groups, schedule, and budget. The Center then proposes a feasible scope, methodology, and deliverables.

Submit a Research Request

• Is the research question clear and answerable?
• Which design, sample, and instrument are most appropriate?
• Does the intended claim fit the method?
• What risks, biases, and alternatives exist?
• How should an existing plan, questionnaire, or evaluation framework be reviewed?

An inception discussion confirms purpose, questions, population, geography, users, deliverables, and constraints. An inception note or protocol may define design, roles, schedule, quality plan, risk, and change rules before implementation.

• Options memorandum comparing designs, costs, and limitations.
• Research-question, indicator, and analysis matrices.
• Review of inference, causality, and measurement.
• Instrument, translation, and routing tests.
• Practical recommendations not assuming unavailable resources or data.

• Review concepts and definitions before item wording.
• Use language appropriate to context and collection mode.
• Review translation for meaning rather than literal equivalence alone.
• Conduct logical and technical testing and, where needed, a pilot or cognitive interviews.
• Freeze the approved version and document subsequent changes.

Tables, indicators, comparisons, quotations, and qualitative themes are defined before collection closes where possible. Descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory analysis are distinguished, and small cells, missing values, weights, multiple tests, and uncertainty are reviewed.

The commissioner may review factual accuracy, contextual understanding, and compliance with scope. It may not select which valid findings appear or require a correct figure or material limitation to be removed. Comments and changes affecting method or meaning are recorded.

The agreement defines ownership of instruments, data, code, reports, and publication rights. Identifiable or restricted data are shared only for a defined purpose under clear authority and safeguards. Delivery of a report does not by itself authorize redistribution of the original dataset.

Data Collection and Fieldwork Management · Data Analysis and Reporting · Methodological Advisory