REPORT FOR THE TRAINING OF DATA COLLECTORS FOR THE AGILE PROJECT KADUNA

3 Days Training dated from 21st June to 23rd June 2022.

Venue: Guseau Institute Kaduna

Attendance:

Male:

Female:

Total:

Time 9am - 5pm

Registration was done at the entrance of the gate.

The welcoming address was done by the AGILE Team

Mr. Isa facilitated the training. He told everyone that the mapping of the stakeholders we will be
working with has been mapped and he listed a number of them which includes Ministry of Education,
SUBEB, HODs /ES, Developmental partners. He asked the participants what they understood by
mapping. Responses:

 Mapping simply means looking at the enumeration area.

 Looking at issues where the area is meaning from
 Mapping is looking at areas where these issues are more pronounced.

Hajia Hadiza explained further, mapping will include the areas where it will be the major concern. For
example, going to a community on their market day and you find out that the kind of people you want
to interview are not amongst them what do you do? She said it is good to map and observe things based
on the subject matter. Our observations will help us to triangulate. She explained that mapping in
development is about finding out our scope of work and finding out about areas of concern to the
people in the community and others. It guides you where you can support and know areas of concern.
That is why they say go with an open mind.

A participate suggested that we should use the Institute as an example to explain mapping. Hajiya
Hadiza did.

Mr Isa explained Data Collection. He said as a data collector, you should have the experience of working
in twos, one will be the moderator and the other the note taker. Participants shared their experiences of
FGD. After that Mr Isa said mapping is key before you start an Intervention.

Madam Victoria said there are two types of FGD depending on the kind of information you want to
collect. For example, if it has to do with sensitive things, you will need a smaller group, if it is not
sensitive you will need a larger group.

Mr Isa talked about non-Verbal Clues that is use of body languages. He also said when conducting an
interview, you must maintain eye to eye contact. It will help the person to give you more answers. He
explained that the kind of FGD we are talking about is the type that involves 10 people, 8 participants,
the interviewer and the note takers. It will involve a ‘U’ shape. Some may try to dominate the
discussions you also need the probing skills. He said how well you do your work speaks to the data
analysis. It’s important to maintain eye contact during FGD. Do not leave anything unturned. The
moderator will sit at the center while the note takers sit at the opposite and he will be taking note. He
explained that when someone is talking more the note taker will write “enthusiastism”.

A participant asked a question, in a situation where you have people there to cause problems what can
you do? Mr Isa responded; you are not to call them, it’s the stakeholders who invited them that will be
in the best position to talk to them. Secondly there might not be background check to bring in the right
person for the interview due to time constraint so you work with the mobilization officer ahead of time
to get the best result. Hajiya Hadiza added to that by saying firstly, you set your ground rules, secondly
tell them that we should have respect for each other and finally tell them that foul languages should not
be used. Madam Victoria advised that we should empathized with them. She explained that you should
not be like the lord over them rather be simple and friendly. Hajiya Hadiza explained further that it will
not be right to tell them that you are an NGO, rather say you are representing the Ministry of Education.
Let them know that AGILE is a project for getting back out of school girls. Also let them know about the
aim of AGILE.

Mr. Isa explained the meaning of both qualitative and quantitative data, saying quantitative data
interviews is done through electronic means while qualitative data is based on one-on-one discussions.
It involves FGD and KII. For this project the FGD will consist of 8 – 10 persons, while the KII will involve
one person. The stakeholders to be interviewed will include:

 SBMC 1 person per LGA (KII)

 ES or HOD SMO 1 PER LGEA (KII)
 SBMCs \ PTA 8 people (FGD)
 Women group 8 persons (FGD)
 Youth Influencers 8 persons (FGD)
 Parents of Out of School girls 8 persons (FGD)
 Interviews will be conducted at State Level.

Hajiya Hadiza threw a question to the participants, if you are to conduct a KII interview in a particular
community and the person to be interviewed says he/she is a new person what will you do? Will you
conduct the interview, yes, or no? some participants said yes and gave their reasons why some said no
and gave their reasons. She said it is important you ask for someone who has the information then you
conduct the interview with him or her, do not leave without getting the information. Mr Isa advised that
we should not allow them to determine for us but we should determine for them.

He explained the data collection process and duration. He advised that as a data collector it is important
as you collect the data you secure it and you report it. Secure is to save. You also need to transcribe.
Transcription is the process of transforming voice file into words.

Madam Adejumoke asked if we come across a situation where we needed an information in a

department and they tell us the information is patent to that department and will not be shared to a
third party, what can we do about it? Mr. Isa replied to the question, he said ask where else to get it, if
there is no other then you put it in your report. He went further to explain part the ethics of research
that it is important that you let your respondent know that the information you are collecting from them
will be used solely for the research, inotherwords, the information is highly confidential.

Still on the data collection process he explained that it is important you use your probing skills. Secondly,
voice recording is very important and you should report verbatim i.e. the respondent feelings and views.
Thirdly, for the sampling technic, the SMOs will do the selection of the group of people to be
interviewed by the data collectors. Fourthly, Reporting is very important. It is important to document
properly report well. He pointed out the differences between quantitative data and qualitative data,
qualitative data gives the feelings and emotions while quantitative data gives numbers. He said note
taken is important and after transcription the documents becomes a note. At the end of the day, you
will give us all you have achieved for that day. He emphasized that voice file should be saved according
to the designed format.

Mr John Akor from BCF took over the facilitation session. He talked about research ethics and safe
guarding. He asked everyone what they understood by ‘Entry point’? Mr Simeon responded, he said it is
a means through which we have access through i.e point of entry.

Mrs Victoria added that the first entry point has been done for us through the Ministry of Education. The
persons that will lead and direct the team to the [lace where the research will be carried out.

Prayers and Lunch time.

After everyone had returned back from lunch. Mr Akor listed and explained some factors on how to get
the necessary information we need for our research work without hindrance.

 Our appearance: culture is different so it is important to dress to what is acceptable. You should
understand the kind of people and community you are going to before going there. So it is
important you dress properly.
 Salutation: Greetings from the person’s heart is important. Greet with sincerity and smiles.
 Honor: Respect is important, Respect the opinion of the people.
 Display of culture: You need to understand the culture of that community. Greet as they do.
 Introduction: Introduce yourself well.
 Language Adjustment: if the person understands Hausa or pidgin or any other, it is better you
use it. Always adjust your language.
 Finally seek for their consent before you proceed to do your work.

He explained research ethnics and the guiding principles.

He said ethics are set of guiding principles. It is the set of behavior that will guide us in this research.
According to him ethics should be guided by:

 Respect for persons and community

 Beneficence
 Non- maleficence
 Justice.

Hajiya Hadiza asked a question to everyone. She said if you are conducting an interview and the person
says he is tired of the interview and will not like to continue with it, what will you do, especially after you
have been rescheduling time with the person on several basis? Many said they will persuade the
respondents to continue, some said they will fix another convenient day for the respondent and others.
She advised that you end the interview there and tell the person thank you for your time and your
effort. Put it in your report. She gave an example of her experience with someone that did that to her.

Mr Akor took over, he talked about respecting people’s opinion. He explained that beneficence is an act
of charity, kindness and doing good. It should form part of your introduction. Non-maleficence talks
about the kind of language to use. It should be non-insultive i.e. it must not have any element of insult
or damage.

He gave a summary about the ethics.

 Respect for human dignity

 Respect for free and informed consents
 Respect for vulnerable persons
 Respect for privacy and confidentiality
 Respect for justice and inclusiveness (caring everybody along)
 Balancing harms and benefits i.e. minimizing harms and maximizing benefits.

Hajiya Hadiza added that before you start with your work, you make sure you get their consents. Their
consents should be written or verbal. She said we will be given a consents form for them to sign. If a
person says I don’t want to go back to school because I was rapped. Mark those people, go back and get
that information. She emphasized that the “Do no harm” is very important. Also ask how they want to
take the interview in Hausa or English.

For the Beneficence factor; especially when conducting an FGD with children, sit in an open space, use
your initiative as adult. Make them realize that participating with you also involves a great risk, don’t
promise anything you don’t know. If you have groups of people waiting start with the girls or youth
groups before the adults. Try to be neutral. She explained that Out of school girls includes groups that
are marginalized such as girls with disability, vulnerable boys etc. for the Non-maleficence is about do
no harm policy to anyone. She emphasized that safe guard is a key component. It is important to ask
questions about your safety or the person coming from far or mountainous region. Another option is a
phone interview. It is important to try to reduce the risk. If it is a person with disability, they should be
brought within the community. Consent is important, tell them it is voluntary no incentive will be given.
For anonymity, when conducting an FGD, do not use names but numbers. It is important to always
interview in a safe place.

Mr Isa asked some questions:

 During your FGD what should we do after the sitting arrangement? Responses: give ground
rules,i.e respect each other’s opinion.

Simulation time:

Mr Isa asked if you to do an FGD and 2 out of all the participants said no recording what should you do?
He said:

 You should try to know why and get their concern

 You should tell them that it is for research purposes and it will not be shared to another.
  If they are still decling you would have to talk to your SMO to talk to them.
 An average FGD is almost 2 hours. You need to understand the content of the question you are
asking.

The meeting came to an end at about 4:30pm.

Day 2

Venue: Gusau Institute Kaduna

Time: 10am

Attendance:

Male

Female

Total:

Registration was done at the entrance:

Hajiya Hadiza cheered the recap and the Mood Meter session. For the mood Meter session, two papers
were given to all participants to write what they like and dislike about the training. A green paper was
given to everyone to write what they like at the training while an orange paper was given to everyone to
write what they do not like at the training; cardboards were placed behind for everyone to stick their
answers. The recap session was facilitated by Hajia Hadiza. She explained how that session will take
place. start by saying if you were not here yesterday what would you have missed and there should be a
friendly introduction before passing to the next person.

‘’Responses on what they would have missed’’

 The introduction aspect and AGILE objectives. Respect justice and the importance of Girl Child
Education.
 Meeting new people and also knowing the background of out of school girls and how to find
solution to the problems and knowing the meaning of some acronyms (e.g. KII, FGD, AGILE and
SMO)
 How research work is being carried out, giving details eg Research Methodology, data collection.
Introduction, mapping and input.
 Understanding the person on the field, the ethics on how to manage behaviors and responses
while carrying out the research.
 Meeting vibrant people as a result of the AGILE program, the conclusion about the research and
showing appreciation at the end of the interview.
 Learning how to behave to sentiments, putting aside who you are to come down to their level in
order to get more information, mode of dressing, paying attention to details by listening more.
 Knowing the entry point, you should be more polite, learning about transcribing when carrying
out an interview, taking charge and making it more interesting and using a language that is more
suitable.

Update from SUBEB by Mallam Kabir

He said communications has been done by SUBEB to the SMOs to communicate to the relevant
stakeholders. He told them that the research will commence anytime from now. All the SMOs have
started selecting the necessary people to be interviewed. It is important that we go to the ES first, then
he will take you to the HODs/SMO. He said each school is attached to the SMO that will support us to do
the work. He promised to leave his contact. He also promised to give an introductory letter to every
researcher to avoid any misconceptions.

Mr Isa facilitated the next session:

It was a simulation exercise for just the introductory part. Tow volunteer’s voluntary came out to do the
work. One acted as the interviewer and the other as an interviewee.

Observations made for the interviewer.

What he did well:

 He maintained eye contact

 He treated her with respect
 The salutation was ok

What he didn’t do well:

 He did not take permission before entering

 The language used should be changed
 You should not sit until you are told to do so
 He should tell his interviewee that the recordings are purely for research purposes. It has
nothing to do with victimization.
 Mr isa added that you need to prepare ahead so that when talking to the interviewee the flow
will make the conversation better.

Mr Isa also said what’s makes you a good interviewer is your ability to balance interest. People should
learn that we are here to represent a lot of people. It is important to let them know about the purpose
of the research. Sometimes it is good to know if the person has concern about your research if no go
ahead, if yes ask and give an answer.

Mrs Helen a stakeholder on the AGILE project from Abuja walked in. she took a lot of photographs and
then apologized for coming in late. She encouraged all to pay good attention at the training and do a
good job when in the field. After a short while she left for another work.

Mr Isa advised that when carrying out your research, you should be flexible, maintaining eye contact is a
sign of respect also your attitude communicate strongly.

Tea break

After the tea-break, still on the ethics of research, he advised that:

 We should understand the environment that we are going

 Dress in context
 Pay attention to non-verbal clues
 Your introductory part is very key, you need to lay it down well to get the best result.
 Analyze the question for all to understand
 Advice all not to take a position
 Probe further
  If you ask a question for example, its number 3 and he further answers number 10, when you
get to number 10 you can say you said …………. can you add any more to it?
 You need to fight your biases when respondents are giving their responses.

The session was handed over to the Assistant Director M&E Officer at Ministry of Education, under
AGILE Project. He said AGILE is an acronym meaning Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and
Empowerment. He elaborated more on it saying it focusses on girl’s enrollment, retention, on the Girl
Child Education. It is a project focused on Adolescent girls. The project has 7 components, which he
listed some:

 On school construction: more schools will be constructed. It’s aim is to see that 90% of girls are
back to the JSS section while 65% are back to the SSS. This is to ensure that the out of school
children will have access to education.
 More WASH facilities will be constructed
 Grant will be provided for all the schools depending on the level of enrollment. The money is
meant for school improvement plan. For example, the schools that needs to drill boreholes will
do that and those that needs to renovate their classrooms will do that.
 Social Norms: it aims to address those cultural norms that keeps the learners especially girls out
of school.
 It will provide life skills Education
 Digital literacy
 And finally conditional cash transfer. These girls will be given scholarship.

He said in order to collect the quantitative data, they were able to adopt a digital instrument that is the
Kobo Tool box. It works by using an Android phone and you need an instrument, the first step is to
download the Apps and install it.

 GO TO KOBO COLLECT
 FILL BLANK FORM
 EDIT SAVED FORM; Select the form, edit the form,
 SAVE FINALISED FORM
 SEND FINALISED FORM
 DELETE SAVED FORM

It was practiced for everyone to understand: first you click get on blank form. It gives you QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH QUESTIONNIARE ON GIRLS EDUCATION and follow the processes.

He advised that we should introduce ourselves and tell them about the purpose of the research (the
objective is to increase and to add more numbers to get Adolescent girls back to school for enrollment,
retention and transition.)

While filling the KOBO TOOL it is important to tell us that it is a rural or urban community. There are
three characteristics to determine it:

 All LGA capital are supposed to be regarded as Urban centers.

 If the community has social and infrastructural facilities
 High population density
While filling the form, make sure your accuracy is not more than 5km. if you are under a tree or in a
building or structures your accuracy will be obstructed. KOBO COLLECT can work online or offline. Make
sure you fill it completely. You can fill it in Zaria and send it in Kaduna. Please note that the KOBO TOOL
will be used for OUT OF SCHOOL GIRLS. You will interview 10 out of schoolgirls.

Lunch time

After the lunch it was time for question and answers:

Question (Q 1) How do you report the qualitative part i.e the KII and the FGD?

Mr Isa responded to that, the code for saving your data will be given.

Question (Q2) why do we need to take notes when we are recording? A respondent replied, for
expressions and body languages.

Hajiya added, For the FGD we should not take the names of the participants, why? The sole aim of the
research is not to victimize the respondent but to provide support to the community. If you need any
other help o information, you can get it from the mobiliser. Some participants will like to drop their
numbers which is ok.

Question (Q3) after the research, will there be a repositing or Government transfer? There is another
component that is into structure, ours is Audience research.

Simulation session;

Mr John Akor facilitated the Simulation session.

FGD- he said a group of people will assemble for you to administer discussion with. These are the
questions for the interviewer:

 What is the number of Out of school girls in your community?

 Is there any girl in your community or neighborhood that started school but did not complete or
dropped out? If yes why
 Is it good for girls in your community to be educated?
 Does your culture support girl’s education or discourage them?
 What are the factors preventing numbers of girls going to school?
 Do parents in this community encourage their daughter to go to school?
 Does Government intervention promote or discourage girls Education?

Observation: it was an interactive session.

Mr Isa said facing people is not easy you need to be bold. You should maintain confidence in yourself,
maintain eye contact, introduce your self and the aim of the research. Study and master your questions
and finally be time conscious.

W the training came to an end. The closing prayers was done in individual faith.

The training ended at about 5:00pm