Rigorously plan for and monitor data quality. Among the biggest challenges to this evaluation were those related to data collection and processing. The Lesotho Bureau of Statistics, which conducted the surveys, deviated from the data collection plan during both rounds of data collection, which impacted both data quality and the sample size. The following solutions might have helped with these problems: aligning incentives of the survey firm and MCC/MCA/the evaluator; technological solutions such as electronic data collection, which allows for real-time monitoring of progress, fidelity to the sample design, and data quality; and ensuring the evaluator had sufficient and continued oversight of survey operations throughout the field period to safeguard data quality.
Lesson Learned