Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning | A Guide for NHRIs in the Asia Pacific
Module 2: Developing your MEAL Framework
Section 2.6.
Identifying data types and questions
Indicators
Baselines
Targets
Outcomes
Inputs
Activities
Outputs
MEAL Framework
Problem/
issue
Dependencies
Assumptions
Data types
and sources
Questions
Identifying data types and sources
You have now defined your indicators, baselines, and targets. Next, you need to consider the types of data you
will use to measure progress, and the sources for gathering the data.
As touched on previously, there are two main types of data and indicators: quantitative and qualitative.
• Quantitative indicators and data: expressed in numbers (e.g. units, prices, proportions, percentages,
rates of change and ratios).
• Qualitative indicators and data: expressed as words (e.g. statements, paragraphs, stories, case
studies and quotations).
It is good practice to use data collection methods that include both quantitative and qualitative elements.
There are also two main sources of data: primary and secondary.
• Primary data: collected directly from an original source (a person or an event).
• Secondary data: collected from an indirect source in that someone else has collected the information,
usually published but for a different purpose (e.g. a report, media statement or online content)
Strong MEAL results use a combination of data sources and collection methods involving original material
gained by your NHRI (such as complaints numbers or participant feedback) and analysis of material gathered by
others (such as government statistics or a UN Report).
Avoid overloading your NHRI with excessive primary data gathering activities as this can be time and resourceconsuming. Instead, use existing data where possible (e.g. Universal Periodic Reports (UPR) reports, reports
to treaty bodies, census data, Demographic and Health Surveys, academic articles and/or research reports).
If possible, consult local partners when defining your indicators to ensure local conditions are sufficiently
considered.
Information from all sources needs to be treated critically to ensure it is valid, reliable and credible. Make sure
to question the data and do not take its validity for granted just because it has been published. When using
secondary data, the original source should be referenced to be on clear who generated it and in which context.
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