Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence based practice (EBP) is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions… - David Sackett
Research Methodology
Research is creating new knowledge. – Neil Armstrong
Research is key to unlocking new and effective strategies in the arena of poverty alleviation. I worked with a student in Tunisia (Feriel Bayoudh) to develop a proposal for research study aimed at reducing maternal mortality in a neglected region within Tanzania. We proposed a mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods to get a rich mix of research data.
In the fall of 2016, during my internship at Walla Walla University (WWU), I conducted a survey study of current and former EWB members to measure the level of impact that involvement in the club has had on these students. Starting with a literature review, I was able to learn how surveys studies like this were done at other institutions and this informed my research design. With help from my faculty mentor (Dr. Brian Roth) a research assistant (Stephanie Septembre), I designed a survey instrument to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. After getting WWU IRB approval, the survey was launch and data collection began. Here is the publishable research paper produced from that survey.
Assessment and Capacity Mapping
During my time in Mtito Andei, Kenya working with World Vision, my partner, Mark Mutai, and I had to do several assessments for CBOs (Community Based Organizations) to map their capacity. Mark and I worked with an up and coming womens group called Muuo Wa Sombe to develop their vision and strategic plan. We started with an organizational self-assessment (OSA). This informative session helped us determine where their capacity was high and which areas needed growth. The CBOs self-identified needs were in the area of record keeping, proposal writing, strategic planning and financial management. We created a training plan to build up their capacity in these key areas over the course of several days.
I also conducted an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) assessment with a large group of students and community leaders in Mtito Andei, Kenya at a child protection advocacy event.
When I first arrived at Walla Walla University (WWU) for my internship, I led the GHEE committee in a strategic visioning exercise using AI (Appreciative Inquiry). This session was very informative - it helped me understand the history of the GHEE program and where they wanted to take the program.
Monitoring
Monitoring progress towards goals and objectives is a very important aspect of development work. World Vision Kenya (WVK) had an excellent monitoring program in their ADP (Area Development Programme). I was impressed with how precise and detail oriented their reports were.
My partner, Mark Mutai, and I conducted a monitoring and evaluation (M+E) training with representatives from several local CBOs who worked with WVK’s larger CBO partner, Baraka. The goal of the meeting was to help each CBO develop a SMART strategic plan for the future and Monitoring and Evaluation (M+E) metrics to measure progress. Here is a report of that M+E training along with a video.
A big part of my work with EWB at Walla Walla University involves monitoring both on-going projects and past projects. EWB requires that each project have indicators for monitoring project progress and impact. Each EWB teams works diligently to develop these monitoring mechanisms and travel teams are responsible for updating them. I’ve been asked to develop these indicators for several EWB projects so far. I’m currently helping the EWB Peru solar energy team develop these monitoring and evaluation tools.
As a graduate assistant, helping professors with curriculum development for the GHEE program, I have also served in a monitoring capacity. As project manager of the ram pump team in ENGR-390, I monitored student progress on ram pump construction and reports.
Evaluation
Evaluation of progress is another very important aspect of development work and also important in academia. Monitoring and evaluation often work hand-in-hand, so there is some overlap in this area. My partner, Mark Mutai, and I conducted a monitoring and evaluation (M+E) training with representatives from several local CBOs who worked with WVK’s larger CBO partner, Baraka. The goal of the meeting was to help each CBO develop a SMART strategic plan for the future and Monitoring and Evaluation (M+E) metrics to measure progress. Here is a detailed report of that M+E training along with a video.
In addition, we also asked them to evaluate us using this evaluation tool;
During my time in Mtito Andei, Kenya I worked with World Vision on a number of advocacy campaigns. We gathered community leaders and local political members for a child rights advocacy campaign. Before the campaign was conducted, I undertook an effort to understand and evaluate the existing child advocacy efforts in the region first. Here is my evaluation of child advocacy efforts in Mtito Andei, Kenya.
We also conducted a monitoring and evaluation (M+E) training for World Vision Kenya (WVK) staff in Mtito Andei. Here is a report from that training.
My work at Walla Walla University (WWU) as a teacher and graduate assistance also requires quite a lot of evaluations of student performance. In addition to evaluating students and submitting grades, I am also subject to evaluation by the students. Fortunately these evaluations have been favorable enough that they have asked me teach again.
Standards & Best Practices
Innovation means replacing the best practices of today with those of tomorrow.
-Paul Sloane
Standards and best practices are important tools in the field of development. Many things have been tried and tested so it makes sense to adopt the best practices, which have withstood the test of time. The key focus during my time in Mtito Andei, Kenya working with World Vision was empowering community based organizations (CBO). One of the initiatives that I was most impressed with was a 2-day training we did with a group of local CBOs where we showed them how to start their own Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA). This unique and innovative financial resiliency tool is probably the most powerful economic empowerment mechanism I have ever seen – much more successful than micro-lending programs. This unique VSLA system has become a best practice for the region. Here is detailed report form those meetings.
Academic research also has many standards and best practices. I learned this in detail from my CITI training. This training helped inform my Engineers Without Borders (EWB) research survey design and helped me obtain approval to conduct the survey study from Walla Walla University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Part of my job description at Walla Walla University had been to collect a library of best practices for global humanitarian engineering work. This library will help with curriculum development for the GHEE program. These best practices will also inform the work of the EWB club as their project portfolio grows.