Tools

The design of a MICS survey will depend on an initial assessment of data needed for national and subnational monitoring priorities. The Global MICS Team, together with UNICEF’s country offices, support governments to undertake a meticulous data gap assessment, especially with respect to the type of data a MICS survey could produce. During the planning and design stages, a governing structure is established, including the formation of steering and technical committees that oversee implementation. Once the preparation of the country survey plan and survey budget are completed, fundraising activities can be carried out in a more formal manner.

The global MICS programme provides templates to support implementing agencies in identifying needed personnel, supplies and equipment and to draw up a timetable. Other tools are intended to support the customization of standard questionnaires to a national context,  estimation of an appropriate sample design and size that will be representative, and listing and mapping of households in the sample.

Depending on the sample size and the time allocated to undertake a survey, required numbers of fieldwork teams receive training in the administration of customized questionnaires used in the survey, utilization of digital technology for data collection, as well as on fieldwork procedures. The MICS programme recommends at least four weeks of training, supported by a regional expert as needed.

Fieldwork is usually completed within two to four months. Each survey team has a supervisor who oversees day-to-day operations and troubleshoots problems. Interviewers conduct face-to-face interviews with eligible respondents using tablets. Fieldwork teams also include a measurer, who is equipped and trained to measure the weights and heights of children under 5, assisted by a second team member. If a Water Quality Testing Questionnaire is included, the measurer is also responsible for water quality testing and completion of the questionnaire. Fieldwork teams use a number of tools and guidelines for quality assurance purposes – these include questionnaire editing guidelines and detailed instructions for all fieldwork team members.

Data processing tools for editing and processing data are customized by survey teams to reflect the customization that other survey tools have undergone – such as the questionnaires. Much of this work is carried out during the MICS data processing workshop.

Data from completed questionnaires are regularly shared with the centralised office. Field check tables are tabulated and continuous feedback is provided on the overall process and the progress of individual interviewers. 

For each topical area, computerised tabulation programs are provided. These are customised according to individual country questionnaires. Sample weights are added to the data and additional background variables – related to household characteristics, level of education, and wealth – are constructed. While finalizing the datasets, various techniques are employed to guarantee the anonymity of the data, to ensure the confidentiality of participating individuals and households.  

Soon after the tabulations are finalized, survey teams start work on reporting. Teams work on a survey findings report and statistical snapshots. These are drafted at a third MICS workshop, done at the country-level – on data interpretation and report compilation. The draft survey findings report and statistical snapshots go to national committees for review and finalization. These are also reviewed by UNICEF at regional offices and at headquarters.