Impact Assessment of Microfinance: Towards a New Protocol for Collection and Analysis of Qualitative Data
The authors believe that in the context of microfinance industry there are particular reasons for obtaining better understanding of casual pathways linking provision of services to diverse effects. Both qualitative as well as quantitative methods, though successful in their limited manner, have exposed a far more diverse range of pathways and outcomes leading to the need of creation of a practical qualitative impact assessment protocol (QUIP).
The authors cite four different case studies in different countries to illustrate the scope of in-depth interviews to obtain rich data about impact. They suggest a standard protocol for such an approach, the components of which are:
- Clear definition of objectives, sample selection followed first by specific one-off case studies and second by qualitative interview using material accumulated over time;
- Incorporation of ethical guidelines into the protocol, and adequate training of field researchers;
- Creation of simple, replicable, timely and cost effective ways of data analysis using a combination of available qualitative data analysis package and simple scoring methods.
The authors raise the issues that need to be addressed in devising such a protocol and suggest the form that it may take. The authors acknowledge that the paper represents only a first step towards production of such a protocol and recognize that further design and rigorous testing is required.
