Data Quality for Monitoring and Evaluation Systems

Author(s): MEASURE Evaluation

Year: 2016

Abstract:

PEPFAR emphasizes the need for data quality to be at the core of HIV program activities. To improve data quality, PEPFAR guidance suggests that countries employ more stringent and systematic data quality assurance procedures, which can be achieved with data quality assessments—capabilities at the core of the work MEASURE Evaluation is doing in this arena.

In its portfolio for assuring data quality, MEASURE Evaluation includes monitoring and evaluation systems designed to produce tools that can be used to document progress toward goals and objectives and to improve health programs. Better quality data can result in better decision making in health sector planning and improved health outcomes. If the data produced by these systems are incomplete, inaccurate, or not timely—owing to insufficient capacity in the health system or inadequate system design—MEASURE Evaluation can assist in addressing those deficiencies and improving data quality. Better quality data can result in better decision making in health sector planning and improved health outcomes.

MEASURE Evaluation has developed training materials to help countries improve their capacity for data quality assurance, and has conducted operations research to help institutionalize data quality assurance techniques.