Planning Data Collection

Planning data collection includes preparing the fieldworker manuals, training the fieldworkers, planning the schedule for the work, etc. High-quality data is only possible if the data collection exercise is planned (and piloted) in detail. Decisions have to be made on what primary data to measure and what supporting data to collect. The detailed planning also includes the design of the data collection tools/instruments; plans of field layouts and sampling schemes. Other practical issues include logistics, costs, timing of collection activities and the planning and execution of enumerator training programmes.

We have divided the resources for this section into those related to the design of experiments, those related to surveys and sampling, and those specifically designed for multi-environment trials.