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Poster Reception #2

Qualitative Methods

Session: Poster Reception #2

267 - The different truths: building a diverse narrative through empowered participation, qualitative questions and indicators

Stream: Evaluation Foundations and Methodology

Thursday, October 24, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PST
Abstract Information: Participation is key to diversity and empowerment, and should be fully integrated in the design, collection, analysis and reporting of MEL data. In line with this principle, our session, titled "The Different Truths: Building a Diverse Narrative through Empowered Participation, Qualitative Questions, and Indicators," offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing MEL practices through the lens of qualitative inquiry and indicators. If you're struggling to articulate qualitative indicators in your MEL plans or seeking guidance on leveraging qualitative questions to tell your impact story, this session is tailored for you. In this session we will use different perspectives and tools developed by Mercy Corps, addressing challenges when specific indicators are not relevant, when numbers don’t tell the story, and when we struggle to formulate the specific and exactly question that will help us unveil the different truths from different perspectives. Our session will delve into a conceptual framework for qualitative inquiry, demonstrating how to develop indicators and utilize qualitative questions effectively. We will explore strategies for ensuring true participation and explore the limitations of some qualitative tools in being participatory, including interviews, FGDs, observations, story telling, diaries, and others. We will illustrate from real life examples of useful qualitative indicators, that have helped programs build compelling diverse narratives supported by evidence, enabling program teams to apply nuanced approaches to implementation. Through interactive discussions and Q&A participants will collaboratively define qualitative indicators tailored to real-world scenarios. Join us to unlock the diverse narratives within the different truths of program impact and elevate your MEL practices through empowered engagement.