What if the data do not exist?
Without high-quality, timely data, selecting the most effective interventions and policy options to address a population’s health needs can be impossible.
Primary data collection (PDC) helps to fill critical information gaps for decision-making and serves to strengthen existing health information systems. At IHME, we have extensive expertise in conducting a spectrum of PDC activities throughout the world. In partnership with country collaborators and local stakeholders, we design and execute rigorous PDC projects to answer key health policy questions and to evaluate drivers of health system performance.
We have led quantitative and qualitative PDC in 26 countries, covering both resource-limited and high-income settings. This work has allowed us to develop, validate, and implement a wide array of culturally-appropriate data collection tools in 19 languages. Data we have collected include more than:
Prior to implementation, we carefully consider a range of methods and data collection platforms to determine the best suited for each setting. Typically, electronic instruments are used, lowering cost and improving quality and completeness through extensive data checks.
IHME’s experience and proficiency in PDC extends beyond data collection processes and analysis. We also develop strategies for leveraging PDC to strengthen engagement in research methods, results, and overarching health data information systems. This includes:
Technical Assistance
We offer assistance for PDC instrument development, study design, and information management systems.
Capacity Building
We help build capacity for PDC fieldwork and trainings related to data processing and analysis.
Stakeholder Engagement
Our team can engage stakeholders around research design and utility of results.
To learn more about primary data collection at IHME, please contact:
Aubrey Levine, MSPH
Researcher, Survey Methodologist
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
University of Washington
[email protected]