The document discusses how fieldwork and data collection processes may change after COVID-19. There will likely be increased use of remote data collection methods over in-person fieldwork. Data collection that does not require observation or verification can be done via phone. Creative and innovative remote methods like online surveys, telephonic interviews, and using photos/videos will become more common. However, some parts of the world may still require physical data collection due to limitations. Overall, greater emphasis will be placed on safety, hygiene protocols, and reducing risks.

1. What will be the most
interesting changes
after COVID-19?

2. Changes in the workplace
Working remotely has been
demystified, and the world has
seen that it is possible. It will
become more prevalent in the post
Covid-19 landscape
Internet as a human right, and
therefore an increase in
connectivity, and a reduction in
data costs
Innovative approaches to
technology especially related to
communication platforms
Increase in the use of digital tools
overall, forcing people to learn
new skills
Will in person contact and
interaction still be valued in the
work place?
Lost time for data collection in
the field would have to be
made up
Reduced need for travel for work The USG and other donors will
begin to release a backlog of
new proposal requests
Fieldwork safety guidelines will
be changed so will fieldwork
processes

3. Changes in our social world
• Significant changes in lifestyles, changes in
economic generation and socialising
• Maintaining social distancing – the most
interesting change for me will be how people
will greet each other or even be around each
other. Maybe handshakes and kisses will be a
thing of the past
• Physical distancing will remain long-term, but
new ways of social interaction will probably be
with us for a long time, and finding ways to
connect meaningfully
• Changes in how people shop (increased home
delivery and online shopping), increased reliance
on telecoms
• Will individuals feel comfortable spending time
together in large groups at restaurants, sporting
events, and concerts?
• Stressed social perceptions
• An increased awareness of the role human
beings play in transmitting certain sicknesses will
also shape our attitudes toward public
transportation and play a role in modifying
certain cultural practices, such as handshaking

4. Policy changes
• Significant changes in environmental policy – people to
realise that should we make changes, we can see almost
immediate results in pollution levels
• How will the world react to the next virus?
• Government, business and civil society can be working
together to find solutions to address challenges. This
illustrates how our social, infrastructural, poverty and
educational challenges COULD be resolved if their is a
common goal or drive

5. How do you think fieldwork and
data collection processes will be
different after COVID-19?

6. Remote data collection
The data collection component
of research is common to all
fields of study including physical
and social sciences, humanities,
business, etc, however after this
outbreak lots for things are
going to change
More remote data
collection versus
physical data
collection
Now and during the early stages of post-
COVID, there is/will be an increased
attention for remote data collection
methods and the recognized need for less
in-person fieldwork
We will think about how we can
use remote data collection as a
first option, rather than
automatically planning face-to-
face data collection
Collection of data that
does not involve
observation or
verification will be
done via phone
Data collection processes will be different,
there will be a reduction in face to face
interviews, having physical contact with
learners and teachers, we will have to come
up with a way to collect data without
visiting schools. Use survey monkey or
other portals to collect data

7. • Companies are constantly trying to devise ways of coping with the fact that M&E fieldwork will be less
fieldwork-based and more remotely-based
• Finding creative ways to build relationships with respondents using virtual methods. For example, telephone
interviews traditionally have focussed on gathering data based on questions. This will need to shift to having
a conversation or dialogue with someone that one has not met, cannot see their facial expressions, and
cannot build trust as easily with them. Observations may be done virtually, and for actual site visits this may
need to be done using google map satellite functions, or drone footage, or using a GoPro as one drives past
Increased innovation
& more creative data
collection processes

8. Increased innovation
& more creative data
collection processes cont.
• Time for companies to think outside the box, where possible online surveys and telephonic
interviews become priority
• Pushing us to think of alternative ways to collect data. Using a lot more remote data
collection such as IVR and when an observation of a practice (e.g. teacher teaching in class) is
necessary, we may ask them to share photos and videos of activities they have been doing

9. No significant change
Although a shift to remote fieldwork the changes
will not be too significant, as in-person still remains
more effective for many interviews, training, and
there is no 'digital barrier' for people to lose
concentration
Some parts of Africa will still require physical
data collection due to the challenges of online
accessibility
Telephonic, online or USSD surveys may become
standard but I do not feel that site visits have seen
their last day
It depends if there is still an infectious virus in
the country; if not, then I do not think it will
have an impact

10. Hygiene and safety
• Protocols and far better screening and controls
• More aware of hygiene we need to practice while out in the field and we’ll have
to train fieldworkers to abide by those policies and procedures
• The safety of data collectors and the participants will need to be put first.
Fieldwork may need to be extended so that data collectors are not overworked
and that they can observe the correct safety measures
• Only small field teams will be hired and consider providing PPE before they
interact with respondents
• Remote data collection will be conducted long after COVID-19 has passed, to
ensure safety of enumerators and stakeholders
• There will be a lot of lost time to be made up. For traveling, communities and
cities will have to be fully cleared from viruses before anyone can enter

11. Other than fieldwork, do
you think Monitoring &
Evaluation in your specific
sector will change?

12. Education
• Greater need to be able to evaluate e-learning, and blended learning and how
effective those programs are/have been on learning outcomes
• “Force” development of better monitoring systems for projects in schools (and
at national, provincial and district offices), so that evaluations can rely on quality
monitoring data for reporting. This could then be triangulated with interviews
and maybe only specific site visits to certain schools based on what the
monitoring data is doing
• Education in general will move further on the curve of disruption

13. Health
• More evaluations in public health
• Redesigning performance measurement metrics to take into
consideration pandemics like this. Evaluation in Public Health will
involve protocols for pandemics that have global impact
• Most of Covid data has been communicated using visualized
data making it easier to consume by all demographics. Data
communication (not just visualization) may come into greater
focus
• Covid-19 question included into measuring instruments – for
health and other evaluations
• Recommendations must take COVID 19 into account – for health
and other evaluations

14. Client engagement
& project delivery
• Rely more on technology than human contact or interactions
• Engagement with clients will be more virtual (online presentations, Zoom workshops, Google doc’s for
co-creation of documents such as ToC’s)
• Building client trust: A greater focus on regular (even weekly) progress reports on evaluation progress
– as in-person contact diminishes, the trusted form of communication and engagement will shift,
• At work there will be a bigger shift towards doing more work virtually and there will be little face to
face contact with people
• Projects will need to build in mitigation plans
• Change in ‘how the work is done’ – seeking alternative means of collecting information to serve any
form of evaluation
• The internet will become an extremely important aspect of our work (should be possible to conduct a
key informant face to face interview with an individual in Ghana on Zoom)

15. It will be business
as usual • I think it will be mostly the same
• I think M&E will largely stay the same and rebound
following COVID-19, especially after an effective
vaccine is rolled out on a macro-scale and the public
may feel confident in returning to day-to-day life

16. Lessons learnt –
personally and
professionally?

17. Business/professional lessons
Communication & other ‘soft’
principles more important
than ever
• You are only as strong as your weakest link, so being able to rely on team members
and trust in their work is more important
• The skill of communication is even more important now than usual, to remain in
contact with team members and provide updates
• Sometimes the most effective form of communication is to get out of your chair and
walk over the other person’s desk/office and talk
• Flexibility. Loads can be done from home however being together in the office is
important and vital to keep team spirit and forming a collegial work environment
• Strong leadership and good communication are essential

18. Increased productivity working from
home, especially when technology
support is in place
• Greater value in being ultra productive for 4 hours a day, with flexibility in your time,
compared to 8 hours of being in the office where you might achieve the same outputs
• Technology can be used more to work from home and be as, if not more, productive than
being at the office
• With a high level of discipline, working from home is as effective as working from the office
• To be disciplined in terms of time management when working from home and complete
tasks on time
• How much greater my productivity is when working at home and not having to engage
with office dynamics

19. Increased productivity working from
home, especially when technology
support is in place
• Remote working can be productive
• The availability of communications infrastructure, such as Zoom and other conference
calling software, have made working from for long periods of time very productive
• Use of communication platforms like Zoom and Skype are very effective in keeping teams
close with frequent check-ins
• You don't have to be in an office to get work done. You can work from anywhere, what
matters is structure and good connectivity
• The finance office can operate remotely. Clarified what my priorities should be
• Be productive when I set my own time do work, but communication is key in making sure
our team’s accomplishments go smoothly

20. Need for better risk
management
• Governments, companies and society at large are not prepared to respond to global
dramatic events, such as those posed by COVID
• Companies need to devise ways and a Plan B and C, as well as contingency plans on how
the work could be carried out, granted there is an enabling environment in which to
operate
• COVID-19 is a reflection of how quickly life can change. The world was not ready to
respond to something of this nature. The lessons is we need to be ready, responsive and
prepared for anything! (especially anything related to disease/health/pandemics)
• To be better prepared and have contingency plans in place

21. Greener living & a
more caring society
• We can reduce our carbon footprint significantly!
• When it is necessary, society at large is able and willing to make drastic
lifestyle changes in order to service the greater good

22. Personal lessons
• The importance of rest and not having to ‘fill’ weekends with things, and the importance
of taking a break. Also the importance of making ‘taking care of yourself’ a routine habit,
so that when your health might be threatened by a pandemic you don't have to *begin*
to consider your overall health, but rather that it’s always a priority you maintain
• Learning more about taking time to do the things that make my body and soul happy.
It’s all about work-life balance
• Acceptance of lack of physical exercise in nature as a form of stress relief
• Patience. Routine
• I have learnt to be more disciplined and independent
• We can always adapt
• Do not take anything for granted! With the right attitude we can overcome our
constraints/obstacles and make it work, just stay positive
• Social distancing should have been implemented long ago
• Trying to avoid others who may be spreading the virus but don't know that they have it

23. THANK YOU