The Role of Mobile Surveys in NGO Program Evaluation

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are essential in tackling societal challenges and enhancing quality of life worldwide. For their initiatives to be effective, NGOs need to implement ongoing evaluations of their programs. A comprehensive program evaluation process allows these organizations to assess their impact, pinpoint areas needing improvement, and build trust among donors. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of their interventions but also ensures accountability and transparency in their operations.

Mobile surveys have emerged as a transformative tool in this field, providing NGOs with a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable method for collecting data. Drawing on GeoPoll’s extensive experience in mobile-based research, this article explores how mobile surveys are redefining program evaluation for NGOs.

Why Program Evaluation Matters

Program evaluation is the backbone of informed decision-making for NGOs. It helps answer critical questions:

• Are the interventions achieving the desired outcomes?
• What is the return on investment for donors?
• How can programs be refined to maximize impact?

Accurate data collection plays a crucial role in various processes, yet traditional methods like in-person surveys or paper questionnaires frequently encounter logistical and financial limitations, especially in resource-constrained environments. Mobile surveys present a compelling alternative to address these challenges effectively.

The Power of Mobile Surveys in Program Evaluation

Mobile surveys leverage the ubiquity of mobile phones to reach respondents quickly and effectively, even in remote areas. Here are key advantages of using mobile surveys for program evaluation:

1. Broad Reach

   Mobile penetration is rapidly growing worldwide, particularly in regions where NGOs are most active, such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. This allows NGOs to engage with hard-to-reach populations that might otherwise be excluded from evaluations.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

   Traditional data collection methods often involve high costs for travel, staffing, and logistics. Mobile surveys significantly reduce these expenses, enabling NGOs to allocate more resources to their programs.

3. Timely Data Collection

   With mobile surveys, NGOs can conduct real-time data collection, ensuring they receive actionable insights promptly. This is particularly useful for baseline and endline surveys, where timing is critical to measuring program impact.

4. Flexibility and Scalability

   Whether it’s a short SMS-based survey or an in-depth questionnaire conducted via mobile web or app, mobile surveys can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any evaluation. They can also scale to include thousands of respondents across multiple regions.

5. Enhanced Data Accuracy

   By automating data collection and minimizing manual entry, mobile surveys reduce errors and improve data quality. GeoPoll’s mobile survey platform incorporates advanced features like skip logic and validation checks to ensure reliability.

GeoPoll’s Experience in Supporting NGOs

As a leader in mobile-based research, GeoPoll has partnered with numerous NGOs to conduct impactful program evaluations. Here are some examples of how GeoPoll’s expertise has supported NGO initiatives:

• We supported a multi-country humanitarian study by employing two-way SMS and Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) to collect feedback from aid recipients in various response settings. The research aimed to understand recipients’ views on the timeliness, quantity, and quality of aid, evaluate whether it met their priority needs, and identify areas for improvement.
• We contributed to a global initiative that facilitated an innovative survey, engaging over 1 million people worldwide to share their perspectives. This effort provided individuals with an opportunity to voice the issues they deemed most important for shaping future development priorities.
• We conducted a study to gather feedback from beneficiaries of financial assistance provided by a humanitarian organization. Participants were asked about the amounts received, challenges in utilizing the funds, and the types of purchases made with the assistance. The survey also examined how long the support lasted and whether any instances of bribery were encountered during distribution.

Best Practices for Using Mobile Surveys in NGO Evaluations

To maximize the effectiveness of mobile surveys, NGOs should consider the following best practices:

• Design User-Friendly Surveys: Keep questions concise and relevant, and use simple language to ensure clarity.
• Leverage Multimodal Approaches: Combine SMS, CATI, and mobile web surveys to reach diverse audiences.
• Incentivize Participation: Offer small rewards or airtime credits to encourage higher response rates.
• Ensure Data Privacy: Prioritize the confidentiality of respondents by adhering to strict data protection standards.
• Analyze and Act: Use advanced analytics to interpret survey results and implement data-driven decisions.

Conclusion

Mobile surveys are transforming program evaluation within non-governmental organizations (NGOs) by addressing traditional challenges associated with data collection. These surveys offer broad accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to gather real-time data, enabling NGOs to effectively assess the impact of their initiatives and make continuous improvements to their programs.

GeoPoll, with its extensive experience in mobile-based research, serves as a valuable resource for NGOs aiming to enhance their evaluation processes. By adopting mobile surveys, NGOs can strengthen their accountability and transparency, ultimately increasing their positive impact on the communities they serve.

Collecting Data for International Development and Relief Programs

GeoPoll has developed unique remote research systems, a large respondent database, and the experience to be able to assist essential humanitarian interventions through the provision of fast, reliable information in any circumstance.

We have worked with international development groups and governments on myriad topics, including humanitarian aid, education, employment, food security, combatting violent extremism, climate change, disease outbreaks, and financial inclusion, among many others. For more information about GeoPoll’s capabilities conducting humanitarian research around the world, please contact us.