The importance of quality research practice

UNICEF as a Data Driven OrganizationData is a basis for:-Global and regional reports on the state of children-Program planning, monitoring and reporting

-Inputs for policy-making-Inputs for equity-focused strategies-Analysis and studies to inform policy implementation -Objective monitoring and validation of results

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Applying Principles in Practice

- To promote use of quality data- To facilitate access to reliable, regular and disaggregated data

for planning, monitoring and reporting

How does UNICEF do it1) Through primary data collection

2) Through analysis of primary and secondary data

3) Through strengthening administrative data systems and data management

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1) Primary Data Collection

Regular surveys-Global Multiple-Indicator Cluster Survey – MICS (every 5 years)

Ad- hoc surveys- to close the gap in knowledge-School optimization-Salt iodization -Costing of Inclusive Education -Child Care Reform

MICS• Global household survey in over 100 countries - 4 rounds to

date• Approximately 130 indicators

In Serbia:• MICS 4 conducted by SORS in 2010 (+Roma sample)• Questionnaires customized to local needs • Key source of disaggregated data (regions, urban/rural, gender,

education, age, wealth, ethnicity)• Rigorous quality assurance – global methodology • All MICS materials, including data sets are publicly available

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2) Analysis of primary and secondary data sources

- The Many Faces of Poverty (LSMS)- The State of Children in Serbia- Poor and Excluded

Children (LSMS and MICS)- Access to Services in Rural Area (LSMS, MICS, Social

Inclusion in Rural Areas)- Impact of the potential tax reform on the poorest (LSMS)- Costing of Pre-school Education (Budget Data)- Targeting of Child Allowances (LSMS)

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3) Strengthening Administrative Data

Key Issues:-Collected data not adequate for monitoring policies and measures (type & disaggregation)-Lack of regular revisiting and revision of administrative data collection by data users and producers-Inconsistencies in the same type of data coming from different sources-Insufficient transfer of data from providers to users in user-friendly formats

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3) Strengthening Administrative DataExamples of UNICEF support:

a)Social Protection- Defining of core and secondary social protection indicators-Revision of data collection instruments in the area of social protection-Capacity building for data analysis -Transfer systems between ISP and SORS

b) Roma health -Strengthening data base on Roma health indicators-Advancing data entry and processing techniques

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3) Strengthening Administrative Data

Support to data availability:

a) DevInfo (DI) database- Administered by RSO from 2006-National DI - under revision to support reporting as per national MDGs and Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction indicators -Municipal DI – available administrative and survey data customized in user-friendly Municipal Profiles

b) TransMonee database -Regional administrative data on social protection, employment, education indicators, current harmonization with ESPROSS requirements

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PBILD Zajednički program UN, UN Kancelarija u BujanovcuKarađorđa Petrovića bb, 17520 Bujanovac, Srbijа

Example of DevInfo Municipal Profile

Cooperation with SORS• SORS as a long term and reliable partner• Cooperation on DevInfo, TransMonee, MICS • Mutual learning and capacity development • Facilitation in establishing institutionalized data

exchange procedures • Possible areas of future attention:

• Resolving discrepancies in administrative data collected from different sources

• Creating a more dynamic cooperation between line ministries and SORS

• Strengthening capacity for data usage and availability of data at municipal level

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Cooperation with decision-makers & research community

Partnership with decision-makers- Aim is to promote and support evidence-based policy making- Wide dissemination of and policy advocacy based on quality

research (MICS 4, studies…)- Independent institutions (Parliament, Ombudsman)

Partnership with the research community - NGOs- Think-tanks - Universities

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Thoughts for further discussion…- Availability of high quality data sets

- Pre-conditions for continuous monitoring of policy implementation

- Availability of analytical capacity

- Effective cooperation between SORS, ministries, NGOs and think-tanks in the area of research

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