STEP FIVE

Get the data!

Identify the sources, tools and methods available to you.

Identify the data you need, learn where to get it, and how to use it. In step five we will:

1

2

3

Identify your data needs - what you need to collect to monitor your targets.

Find out where to find that data - or make it ourselves!

Data is a collection of information (numbers, words, measurements, observations or descriptions) that we can analyse and visualise to learn more about society and the world.

Types of data:• Quantitative and qualitative.

• Primary and secondary data.

• Structured and unstructured data.

FIRSTLY, WHAT IS DATA?

Data revolutionThe rapid increase of new forms of data; how they are shared and how they are used.

KEY TERMS

Remember the Key Term from step one?

DATA REVOLUTION - WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

1. Not all have access to data.

2. Lack of official data on young people’s lives.

3. Young people lack skills to generate and use data themselves.

CHALLENGES

GAME

The Data4Advocacy

ACTIVITY

What data does your team need?

GENERATING YOUR OWN DATA

When is it good?When you want to address the gaps in availability or quality of data.

When you need particular insights into young people’s lives; in this case generating data can help to bring bridge the gap that national data often suffers from.

Important! Before generating data, ensure that you are not replicating existing data and that your data will bring a new understanding or fresh perspective on the issue.

Also important! Remember that data is a public good. Stay open, accessible, and user-friendly!

• Be clear about your purpose.

• Be open and collaborative.

• Be responsible.

• Be advocates for better data and investment in skills.

• Be realistic and pragmatic.

KEY PRINCIPLES ABOUT DATA

Tools and methods:

• Surveys and questionnaires.

• Service provider or facility data e.g. Records from schools/hospitals.

• Focus group discussions.

• Participatory video and photography.

AND social accountability tools…

GENERATING YOUR OWN DATA: HOW TO DO IT.

ACTIVITY

Social Accountability Tools

Analyse, visualise and share.

• Consider what we know already: Compare your data with other relevant sources. What does that reveal? Does it mean we’re progressing against target?

• How to present this data? Keep it simple! By making your data accessible and user-friendly, you are closing the data gap we mentioned earlier by empowering communities with the knowledge and information they need to advocate for change.

• Resources. There are a number of online training and resources to help you visualise data.

• Share your data with the constituents or group that the data concerns. Why? Checking your findings will ensure you are correctly reflecting life in your community and will enhance your credibility with community members.

YOU’VE GOT YOUR DATA - WHAT NEXT?

RECAP

Identified the data you need and what data already exists.

In step five we have:

Looked at ways to generate your own data.

Started thinking about analysing, visualising and sharing your data.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This publication ‘Accountability in action training’ reflects the views of the author, and the Commission

cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

This project is led by Restless Development and draws together a consortium of youth-led and youth-focused organisations from around the world.

Together they have a wealth of experience in supporting young people to play a leading role in governance and accountability.