Family Health International women"s study project guide to study documentation

This guide outlines the key processes that need to be documented in order to ensure that WSP research is accurately and uniformly performed. After an introductory overview of the WSP, Section I discusses study documentation, including the study operations manual (covering the field operations manual and sampling design), data management procedures, and preparation of the analysis plan. Section II defines the data analysis verification process, focusing on the procedures required in conducting complex quantitative social science research. It is recommended that researchers document each phase of the project as it is being planned, rather than wait until the study is completed, lest critical information be lost and to provide new researchers an object lesson in research methodology. Most of the materials in this guide were taken from existing data management, verification, and documentation procedures used by FHI for its papers and monographs or for reports prepared by its contractees. Since the WSP-funded research projects are conducted by local researchers (with technical assistance from FHI technical monitors), procedures will need to be adapted to local conditions and existing personnel resources. Appendices include a brief discussion of how to name variables and how to create consistency checks, and an example of a log sheet and of a sampling plan. (Author abstract, modified)