TOOLS BY ROUND
MICS7 | MICS6 | MICS5 | MICS4 | MICS3 | MICS2 | MICS1
A comprehensive set of tools guide survey teams through every step of the MICS process – from overall planning, design and data collection in the field to data processing, analysis, interpretation, documentation and dissemination.
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.
Survey Plan TemplateEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Supply Procurement InstructionsBudget Calculations TemplateEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Fieldwork Duration, Staff, Data Processing and Supply Estimates Template |
Memorandum of Understanding TemplateEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Terms of Reference for Steering Committee TemplateEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Terms of Reference for Technical Committee TemplateEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Terms of Reference for UNICEF MICS Consultant |
Sample Size CalculationEnglish French Spanish Russian Manual for Mapping and Household Listing |
Household Selection TemplateEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Sample Weight Calculation Template |
Flow of QuestionnairesEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Household QuestionnaireEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Questionnaire for Individual WomenEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Questionnaire for Individual Men |
Questionnaire for Children under FiveEnglish French Spanish Russian Arabic Questionnaire Form for Vaccination Records at Health FacilityChanges to MICS5 Questionnaires since June 9, 2013 |
Indicator List |
Changes to Indicator List since June 9, 2013 |
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, as well as on fieldwork procedures. The MICS programme recommends at least three 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 either paper questionnaires or tablets), while the field editor checks the integrity of every questionnaire by reviewing them for possible errors or omissions. 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. 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.
Instructions for InterviewersEnglish French Spanish Russian Instructions for Supervisors and Editors |
Manual for Anthropometry |
MICS5 Manual on GPS Data CollectionGPS Coordinator's Manual |
GPS Data Collection FormGPS Operator's Manual |
GPS Data Recording - example monitoring sheet |
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Quick Start Manual |
Owner's Manual |
Data processing tools for entering 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.
As the questionnaires for the first cluster of households are completed, they are sent to a centralised office where the data are entered – twice. The two datasets are then compared, to make sure no data entry errors have been introduced. Field check tables are tabulated and sent back to the field supervisor to provide feedback on the overall process and the progress of individual interviewers, providing a further check for internal consistency.
Tools and support are also available for those teams willing to collect data through computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), using tablets or laptops. While the use of such devices can save time and enhance accuracy, interviewers must be skilled in using them, enhanced quality controls must be established, and extended technical support made available.
MICS5 Data Entry Application |
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Complete SPSS syntax files (all topics)Tabulation syntaxes by topicPreparing Your Data for AnalysisData QualitySample and Survey CharacteristicsChild MortalityNutritionChild HealthWater and SanitationReproductive Health |
Updates to latest version: 2 June 2015Child DevelopmentEducationChild ProtectionHIV/AIDS and Sexual BehaviourAccess to Mass Media and Use of ICTSubjective Well-BeingTobacco and Alcohol UseSampling Errors |
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, wealth and household amenities – 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.
Complete Tabulation Plan (all topics)English Spanish Russian Arabic Tabulation Plan by topicData QualitySample and Survey CharacteristicsEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Child MortalityEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic NutritionEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Child HealthEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Water and SanitationEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Reproductive HealthEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Child Development |
Updates to latest version: 1 June 2015EducationEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Child ProtectionEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic HIV/AIDS and Sexual BehaviourEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Access to Mass Media and Use of ICTEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Subjective Well-BeingEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Tobacco and Alcohol UseEnglish Spanish Russian Arabic Sampling Errors |
Soon after the tabulations are finalized, survey teams start work on reporting. Interpretation of the findings and drafting of the key findings report are facilitated in a third MICS workshop – on data interpretation, further analysis and dissemination. Later, a draft final report is produced, which goes back to national committees for review and finalization. The draft reports are also reviewed by UNICEF at regional offices and at headquarters.
Survey findings are disseminated beyond the launch of the final printed report; through a variety of media, including pamphlets, CDs, infographics, workshops for journalists, websites and videos. Instructions and templates for assisting survey teams in this effort are made available to survey teams. Numerous examples from other countries show how strong dissemination efforts can achieve maximum impact in terms of advocacy and future action. Such examples are regularly shared on the MICS website and are also highlighted in the MICS newsletter.
Dissemination templatesSummary-Website-Children Book-Animations [262 MB] Brochures-CD-Poster-Stacked Sheets [338 MB] Workshop Agenda for Journalists Making MICS Available on the World Wide Web
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Template instructions
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