Research Design & Applied Studies
Frame useful research questions, select appropriate methods and connect study design to the decisions the evidence needs to inform.
Evidence · accountability · learning
Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Geospatial Services
PDG supports institutions, businesses and development programs with rigorous research, monitoring, evaluation, data analysis and geospatial services that strengthen evidence, accountability, learning and decision-making.
From question to learning
The Research & Evaluation Lifecycle
A clear sequence, adapted to the assignment. Mapping contributes where location matters; quality checks and learning run throughout.
Define
Clarify the decision and research questions.
Design
Set methods, indicators and sampling.
Collect
Gather field, institutional and spatial data.
Validate
Check completeness, consistency and quality.
Analyze
Examine patterns, change and relationships.
Map
Explore location and spatial context.
Interpret
Assess meaning, uncertainty and limitations.
Report
Communicate findings and recommendations.
Learn
Use the evidence to inform the next decision.
A connected evidence practice
Core Capabilities
Baseline, Endline & Impact Studies
Establish starting conditions, assess change and develop evaluation approaches suited to the intervention, available data and attribution questions.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
Develop frameworks and review processes that help institutions track results, examine outcomes and use learning to improve delivery.
Surveys & Data Collection
Design instruments, organize fieldwork and support consistent collection through clear protocols, field-team preparation and supervision.
Data Analysis & Visualization
Clean and analyze data, examine patterns and communicate findings through accessible tables, visualizations and dashboards.
GIS, Mapping & Spatial Analysis
Connect records to location to understand coverage, access, infrastructure and spatial relationships relevant to planning and operations.
Remote Sensing & Earth Observation
Use suitable satellite and other spatial data to examine environmental conditions, land cover and change, with documented resolution and limitations.
Reporting, Evidence & Decision Support
Translate findings into traceable reports, briefs and recommendations that distinguish evidence, assumptions and uncertainty.
Scope the assignment
Studies for Institutional & Development Questions
Possible assignments include...
Study design should reflect the intended use, population, timing, data availability and resources.
Research & Assessment
- Needs assessments
- Household and community surveys
- Vulnerability and risk assessments
- Perception / KAP studies
- Beneficiary assessments
Evaluation & Performance
- Baseline studies
- Endline studies
- Impact evaluations
- Post-project evaluations
Institutional, Market & Development Studies
- Feasibility studies
- Institutional assessments
- Market and value-chain studies
Measure results. Use the learning.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
Link program objectives to measurable indicators, reliable information and practical review cycles. Frameworks and systems can be developed or adapted to the institution’s context.
Plan & define
- Results frameworks
- Indicator development
- Logframes
- Monitoring plans
Monitor & assure
- Data collection systems
- Performance monitoring
- Data quality assessments
- Outcome tracking
Evaluate & learn
- Learning reviews
- Evaluation design
- Dashboards
- Reporting systems
Location adds context
GIS & Geospatial Services
Geospatial work connects evidence to place. It can help institutions analyze access, compare risks and plan resources, while supporting field operations, asset records and service-delivery decisions.
Data sources, spatial resolution, reference systems and uncertainty should be documented alongside the findings.
- Areas
- Observations
- Connections
Build the spatial foundation
- GIS database development
- Asset and infrastructure mapping
- GPS/mobile field mapping
- Web maps
Understand coverage & risk
- Service-access mapping
- Vulnerability and risk mapping
- Thematic mapping
- Spatial analysis
Observe environmental change
- Remote sensing
- Land-use / land-cover analysis
- Flood and environmental mapping
- Agriculture and natural-resource mapping
Methods before software
Data & Analytical Tools
Tools support delivery; they do not define the service. Selection depends on the methods, data, institutional requirements and handover needs.
Explore potential tools
Potential tools may include:
General Data & Analytics
- Excel
- Power BI
- Python
- R
- SQL
- SPSS
- STATA
GIS & Spatial Analysis
- QGIS
- ArcGIS
- GeoPandas
Remote Sensing & Earth Observation
- Google Earth Engine
- ENVI
Field Data Collection
- Kobo / ODK-type field systems
Evidence in context
Applications Across Sectors
Selected applications include...
Agriculture & Agribusiness
- Farmer and household studies
- Crop and value-chain analysis
- Food-security assessments
- Agricultural GIS and remote sensing
Health
- Program evaluation
- Service-access analysis
- Health surveys
- Facility mapping
Education
- Learning assessments
- School mapping
- Education program M&E
- Institutional assessments
Social Protection & Community Development
- Vulnerability assessments
- Beneficiary studies
- Social-service mapping
- Community needs assessments
Environment & Climate
- Climate-risk studies
- Flood and hazard mapping
- Land-cover analysis
- Resilience assessments
Government & Public Administration
- Institutional assessments
- Performance monitoring
- Service-delivery analysis
- Evidence dashboards
Quality is part of the method
Quality & Research Integrity
Assignment planning should set out how data will be collected, checked, protected and interpreted. Consent and confidentiality arrangements should reflect the participants, information sensitivity and applicable requirements.
Any required institutional or ethics approvals should be identified with the commissioning organization and obtained through the appropriate authorities.
- Transparent methodology
- Ethical data handling
- Informed consent where applicable
- Confidentiality
- Data-quality checks
- Reproducible analysis
- Documented assumptions
- Clear limitations
- Evidence traceability
- Secure data management
Outputs that can be used
Deliverables
Depending on the assignment, deliverables may include...
Design & fieldwork
- Inception reports
- Research protocols
- Survey instruments
- Monitoring frameworks
Data & analytical products
- Cleaned datasets
- Codebooks
- Dashboards
- GIS maps
Findings & decisions
- Analytical reports
- Evaluation reports
- Policy briefs
- Presentations
- Recommendations
Bring the question. Shape the assignment.
Turn Data Into Evidence for Better Decisions
Discuss the decision you need to inform, the evidence already available and the research, evaluation or spatial support the assignment may require.