Techniques and Tools

The team at ISF-UTS has curated a set of techniques and tools to support the curated approaches.

Techniques – Within this website, we refer to techniques as the ways in which MEL can be done. For example, card sorting, participatory activities and generating insights.

Tools – Within this website, we refer to tools as both digital and physical items that support MEL. For example digital analysis platforms, cards, and checklists.

Planning

Digital Tools

Digital Tools

Digital tools expand opportunities for remote and collaborative MEL.

Theory of Change

Theory of Change

Theories of change track the types of outcomes that a program intends to achieve for different actors. 

Logistics Checklist

DOCX | 972 KB

Integrity Checklist

DOCX | 970 KB

Effective Interviewing Guide

DOCX | 968 KB

Planning Template

GOOGLE DOC

Do-no-harm Strategy

DOCX | 982 KB

Prompt Writing

PDR | 136 KB

Data collection and generation

Difference Mapping

Difference Mapping

Journey mapping helps to identify the steps that the participant has taken to come to their current state.

Smartphone Photography

Smartphone Photography

These smartphone photography helps can be used for photography observations or a photovoice activity.

Audio Surveys

Audio Surveys

Audio surveys allows users to submit short audio clips rather than typing responses. They are primarily used in self-administered internet-based surveys and replace open-response questions.

Digital Tools

Digital Tools

Digital tools expand opportunities for remote and collaborative MEL.

Visioning

Visioning

Visioning allows participants to dream about what the future could look like. This helps them create a strategy for change.

Daily Clock

Daily Clock

Daily clocks are a participatory way to explore the activities and tasks that individuals do during an average day. 

Journey Mapping

Journey Mapping

Journey mapping is a way of making a ‘comic strip’ for a participant and their journey around a certain activity or experience.

Mapping

Mapping

Mapping activities help explore spatial norms, changes, and outcomes for participants. Some common versions include mobility maps and resource maps.

Card Sorts

Card Sorts

Card sorts are a participatory tool to engage respondents in categorising, organising, or ordering information. Cards often have visual or textual information. Card sorts can be used in interviews or focus groups.

Ladders

Ladders

Laddering activities help to identify how individuals perceive themselves within a range of behaviours, activities or viewpoints. Some common versions include participation, happiness, safety, wellbeing and confidence.

Matrices

Matrices

Matrices help to identify societal and household norms. Some common versions include roles, responsibilities, opportunities, decisions, access, and social capital.

Data analysis, sensemaking and utilisation

Personas

Personas

Personas are representative yet fictional characters used for both evaluation and planning purposes.

Data Visualisation

Data Visualisation

Data visualisation is the process of bringing information to life through shape, colour, order, and structure. We highlight two unique tools relevant for qualitative data.

Digital Tools

Digital Tools

Digital tools expand opportunities for remote and collaborative MEL.

Generating Insights

Generating Insights

Getting from data to short statements that summarise your findings is an important step in sharing information.

Thematic and Content Analysis

Thematic and Content Analysis

Thematic and content analyses are two processes of identifying patterns, themes, commonalities, and divergences within textual data.

Report an issue

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Please let us know! jessica.macarthur@uts.edu.au

DISCLAIMER 

This project has been funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The views expressed in this website are the author’s alone and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.