The document discusses key methodological challenges faced in conducting research in Africa, particularly focusing on sampling issues such as unrepresentative population frames, outdated census data, and difficulties with locating respondents in rural areas. It also highlights language barriers due to the numerous ethnic groups and the limitations of translating questions accurately, which can lead to biased results. Innovations like standardized translations and the use of technology are suggested to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of research efforts.

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Dixie Avugwi, Director of Research

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METHODOLOGY WORKSHOP
November 30th, 2017
Key Methodological Challenges in Africa

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SAMPLING
Key Methodological Challenges in Africa

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SAMPLING CHALLENGES
• Drawing a true random representative sample
• Census data at times not detailed enough – smallest
sampling unit
• Latest/recent census data at times not available
• When a Sampling Frame is provide by the Country
Statistics Body [KNBS]
• Not updated; a listing exercise is required
• The frame is often overused:
• Everyone uses the same frame
• Meet other teams within the same sampling points
• Over-researched respondents - bias [expert
respondents]
• House/structure numbers sampled not easy to locate:
• Get erased hence rely on a local guide who may not be
doing the correct thing
• Tedious bureaucracy – timelines
• Expensive

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Census Cartographic Mapping, which is a process of dividing the
whole country into smaller units called enumeration areas

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SAMPLING CHALLENGES
• Using the random route technique:
• Infrastructure design challenge
• Streets not labeled
• Streets not there – Rural
• Houses not numbered
• Selecting starting points – landmarks
• Selecting direction from starting point
• Longitudinal studies challenge
• Locating respondents previously surveyed – physical
address
• Locating respondents previously surveyed – using
telephone contacts
• What has helped track respondents:
• CAPI
• GPS
• Regular follow up of respondents over phone where
possible (stay in touch)

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Informal settlements with temporary structures pose sampling
challenges

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Kenya is largely a rural country and the under developed
infrastructure also poses sampling challenges – no labeled streets /
roads, difficulty in findings reliable landmarks, etc.

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LANGUAGE
Key Methodological Challenges in Africa

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LANGUAGE CHALLENGES
• Large number of ethnic groups that require translations
• Some oral languages for which written translation is not
possible
• Lose ‘pure’ respondents
• Respondents who cannot speak the translated languages may
have to be replaced with those who can thus biasing the
research
• Simultaneous translations – cannot guarantee standard
• Changes meaning of questions
• Translators start answering the questions posed on behalf
of the respondent instead of strictly translating
• Innovations to address oral languages challenge:
• Standardize simultaneous translations
• Enumerators who speak the language go through the
questionnaire together and agree how each question
translates into the given oral language

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42 Ethnic Groups = 1 Nation

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The Maasai well-known globally are actually a minority ethnic group
in Kenya making up one of the 42 ethnic tribes

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Methodological Research for the Public Good

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METHODOLOGICAL RESEARCH
• Census data
• Access of census data for sampling – to smallest unit
• Statistics Office sampling frame: accessible to public and
affordable
• Categorization/ classification of population [SEC/LSM]
• Need a system to update criteria
• An index to be used to measure – checking out some things
Benchmarks

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Going the extra mile.