Part II Collecting and analysing data 7.5.5. Step five: Piloting the survey The final step involves testing the survey. Whenever possible, the survey should be piloted with a smaller sample size to identify and correct any errors. By piloting the survey, researchers can revise the questionnaire before it is sent out to the entire sample. It also enables researchers to turn open response questions into closed response or multiple choice responses, based on the responses received. Finally, piloting the survey allows researchers to estimate the variability in the responses to survey questions, which can help determine the necessary sample size at the desired confidence interval. CASE STUDY: PERIODIC REPORTS ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has produced a series of monitoring reports on ESCR in Afghanistan. The AIHRC collects data through structured interviews with more than 7,500 individuals annually, as well as through meetings and consultations with stakeholders throughout the country. Interviewees are selected by random sampling so that different persons, groups of persons and ethnicities are covered in different villages, towns and other areas across the country. The AIHRC was able to visit three quarters of the country’s provinces; the remaining provinces were inaccessible due to armed conflict and insecurity. The information gathered was assessed against indicators on selected ESCR. With its extensive coverage, the information gathered by the AIHRC through its field monitoring team represents the most accurate picture of ESCR in Afghanistan. The AIHRC has also undertaken some studies focused on specific urgent ESCR issues, in particular regarding the human rights of women. For example, in 2002 they published a report on forced gynaecological examinations, performed to provide evidence in cases of ‘moral crimes’. Such examinations without consent violate a whole host of human rights, including the right to be free from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment (ICCPR), the right to health (ICESCR), and the prohibition of discrimination against women (ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW). To prepare the report, interviews were conducted with 53 women detainees accused of ‘moral crimes’ in the jails in 12 provinces. In order to collect precise information, a unified questionnaire with the specific questions was designed and sent to the regional and provincial offices to be filled out with the information obtained from the interviewees. All these questionnaires were sent back to the HQ to be analyzed. In addition to collecting information from the female detainees, numerous sessions were held with some related stakeholders, and their views were also included in this report. 7.6. WHAT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH TO COLLECTING PRIMARY DATA? When conducting primary research for human rights monitoring, whether through interviews, focus groups, or surveys, community members need to know why the information is being collected and how it will be used. It is important to adopt a human rights-based approach to primary data collection. This means adopting a participatory approach that involves the community in analysing their problems. The community must also be involved in identifying and developing solutions to those problems, in order to empower community members to claim and exercise their rights. The target population of the research must be recognized as active rights holders, not simply sources of information. Chapter 7: Collecting primary data | 79