Working with indicators

What is an indicator? An indicator demonstrates where something is, what direction it is headed, and how far it is from the objective. Several indicators to build the picture (but not too many) Qualitative and quantitative Not only numerical!

An indicator demonstrates where something is, what direction it is headed, and how far it is from the objective.

Several indicators to build the picture (but not too many)

Qualitative and quantitative

Not only numerical!

From baseline to benchmark Benchmark: the target level (link to standards or commitments) Baseline: starting point, first measurement

Benchmark: the target level (link to standards or commitments)

Baseline: starting point, first measurement

Process indicators… Process: measures the degree to which the state is complies with its obligations Obligations to respect, protect, fulfill Link to commitments and benchmarks Progressive realisation

Process: measures the degree to which the state is complies with its obligations

Obligations to respect, protect, fulfill

Link to commitments and benchmarks

Progressive realisation

… outcome indicators … Outcome/result indicators capture results, attainments, improvements, benefits Can be linked to several processes +/- directly related to corresponding right

Outcome/result indicators capture results, attainments, improvements, benefits

Can be linked to several processes

+/- directly related to corresponding right

… and structural indicators Structural indicators measure existence of basic institutional mechanisms necessary to fulfill a right, such as: Necessary agencies Necessary national legislation and regulations Accessbility of information about the right

Structural indicators measure existence of basic institutional mechanisms necessary to fulfill a right, such as:

Necessary agencies

Necessary national legislation and regulations

Accessbility of information about the right

Dissegregation Dissegregation can reveal discrimination By: gender, race, religion, caste, etc

Dissegregation can reveal discrimination

By: gender, race, religion, caste, etc

Good indicators are… Reliable: consistent results Relevant to policy Valid: measure what they are supposed to measure Consistently measurable over time Can be disaggragated and decomposed Comparable internationally Separate monitors from monitored

Reliable: consistent results

Relevant to policy

Valid: measure what they are supposed to measure

Consistently measurable over time

Can be disaggragated and decomposed

Comparable internationally

Separate monitors from monitored

Sources of data Your own data - watch out for feasibility! Government data – watch out for reliability Data from international organisations: UNDP (Hum. Dev. Rep.) World Bank, FAO UNESCO Etc.

Your own data - watch out for feasibility!

Government data – watch out for reliability

Data from international organisations:

UNDP (Hum. Dev. Rep.)

World Bank,

FAO

UNESCO

Etc.

How to identify indicators Source Results indicators Process indicators Population and subgroups Right

Indicators + Events INDICATORS-BASED METHODOLOGY EVENTS-BASED METHODOLOGY RIGHT TO HEALTH MORTALITY RATE CASES OF DENIAL OF TREATMENT SURVEYS, CENSUS INVESTIGATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF EVENTS

Further online reading: The indicators-based monitoring methodology , in « What is monitoring », HURIDOCs, 2003 Using indicators for human rights accountability , chapter 5 in « Human Development Report 2000 », UNDP, 2000 Quantitative human rights indicators – a survey of the major initiatives , Rajeev Malhotra and Nicolas Fasel, 2005

The indicators-based monitoring methodology , in « What is monitoring », HURIDOCs, 2003

Using indicators for human rights accountability , chapter 5 in « Human Development Report 2000 », UNDP, 2000

Quantitative human rights indicators – a survey of the major initiatives , Rajeev Malhotra and Nicolas Fasel, 2005