A guide for practitioners

an initial review of the literature can also help in identifying key issues that needs to be addressed in afurther M&E analysis. The disadvantage of this method is that the limitation of the information by whatdocumentations available and accessible, how it has been presented and by whom it is presented, andhow it has been stored.Key informant interviewsKey informants are individuals who have substantial knowledge about the performance indicatorseither because they are beneficiaries of the intervention or major stakeholders in the intervention. Keyinformants can be farmers, experts, administrators, or development practitioners. The advantage ofthis method is that it is quick and less expensive; a carefully administered key informant survey givesreliable information.Participant observationParticipant observation is the process of systematically and continuously documenting communityand individual behaviours, without disrupting the process, people or locations being observed (Friis-Hansen et al. 2000). It can be used to gain information about how patterns of behaviour and socialinteractions, livelihood strategies, and environmental conditions may have changed as a result of theintervention.This method helps to obtain useful and timely information by observing what people do and to helpmake decisions on improving performance. Usually this method is used to complement informationcollected using other methods. This method is especially suitable for understanding processes whichare difficult to grasp in an interview context. Moreover, it can be used to understand the context inwhich information is collected and help to explain results.Observation can be made more effective by viewing it as a valid method and structuring its use.Much can be learned by watching what people actually do. Useful information and new insightscan often be gained from such observation that would otherwise not be obtained. If done well, it canpermit a deeper understanding of relationships within communities but also between a community andother organizations. This method is a common research method for social issues and processes. Directobservation is useful for validation in monitoring as it can be used to cross check responses receivedby other methods.In participant observation, biases can be created due to the observer, the way the observer influencesthe behaviour of the observed or the observed situation, thus hampering the objectivity of the observer.These biases can never be eliminated entirely. Therefore, direct observation as a systematic M&E methodshould only complement other methods. Asking several people to undertake observations in the samemanner can help confirm observations or identify differences and so increase the quality of the data.Focus group interviews/discussionsA focus group discussion is a discussion made by a panel of 8 to 12 respondents led by a moderator orfacilitator. The moderator uses group dynamics principles to focus or guide the group in an exchange ofideas, feelings, and experiences on a clearly understood topic. Focus group interviews help to collectgeneral information, clarify details or gather opinions about an issue from a small group of selectedpeople who represent different viewpoints. It can also be used to build consensus. Analysis of gatheredinformation attempts to discern patterns and trends that develop among participants, as well as across43