SAQs
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.
Rewrite the paragraph below using terms from the list provided to fill the gaps.
closed; in-depth; open; questionnaires; semi-structured; structured.
Interviews are frequently part of a rapid assessment process. ………………interviews involve asking a set of questions that are decided in advance. These are usually ……………… questions that have a limited number of possible answers. This type of question is also often used in ……………… Questions that allow people to answer more freely are called ……………… questions. They are used in ……………… interviews. Both types of question are used in ……………… interviews.
Interviews are frequently part of a rapid assessment process. Structured interviews involve asking a set of questions that are decided in advance. These are usually closed questions that have a limited number of possible answers. This type of question is also often used in questionnaires. Questions that allow people to answer more freely are called open questions. They are used in in-depth interviews. Both types of question are used in semi-structured interviews.
Imagine that in your community you have already noticed there is a low rate of latrine use by the householders. You think it would be helpful to conduct a rapid assessment in coordination with the community health workers and other local team members. Write an overall aim and three possible objectives for such an assessment for your immediate supervisor.
An overall aim could be: ‘To find out why there is a low use of latrine use in the community’. Possible objectives are:
- to determine the state of the local latrines
- to find out people’s attitudes to using the latrines
- to produce a set of recommendations to encourage greater use of the latrines.
In a few sentences, say which methods you could use in the assessment mentioned in SAQ 3.2.
The best way to find out more information about the state of the latrines would be through observation and interview or discussion groups.
One-to-one interviews would be a good way of finding out people’s attitudes to the latrines, as some people may be unwilling to speak out about this subject in a public event.
Reviewing existing reports and research may provide typical reasons for not using latrines and suggest ways of overcoming this. This could be useful when devising possible recommendations.
What is the purpose of the report of a rapid assessment and who should receive copies of the report?
The purpose of the report is to summarise the results from the assessment and indicate how well its aims have been achieved. After permission from the funders has been obtained, it should be sent to all those who had an interest in its findings. Apart from the funders, recipients could include:
- the local administration
- community representatives
- the local community health workers team
- any non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or funding organisations who might be willing to finance or support a follow-on programme
- any local WASH programmes.