Chapter 5
Knowledge management and research To improve data collection and management in line with its Strategy 2021-2025, the IEO adopted a number of initiatives in 2021 to reinforce its knowledge and data management workstream. These included a stronger research function with better articulated processes, and more systematic use of methodological approaches and artificial intelligence tools to automatize the collection and processing of data, including lessons extracted from previous assessments by the IEO and UNDP decentralized units. The IEO also completed a review of UNDP data platforms to inform a better-articulated data architecture that enables more rigorous and rapid access to programme monitoring information as well as external data through specific data marts. In alignment with the UNDP digital strategy, in 2022 the IEO plans to revamp its ERC, enhancing it as a tool for planning and tracking evaluation implementation.
5.1 Methodological advancements To respond to increasing demand for methodological innovation to gauge UNDP contributions, the IEO has continued exploring how to better leverage geospatial techniques, more sophisticated survey mechanisms and sentiment analysis. For the first time, the evaluation of UNDP support to youth economic empowerment used sense-making, a participatory narrative survey, to collect stories from over 600 young beneficiaries on how UNDP programmes have affected their lives. Actively involving youth in the interpretation of the stories, either individually or collectively through facilitated group discussions, reduced the risk of bias. In India, interactive voice response system-based interviews allowed the ICPE team to elicit feedback on programme interventions from beneficiaries in local governments and communities. The platform permitted the team to ask questions over the telephone in five local languages.18
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The system conducts telephone interviews with little or no interviewer intervention. It presents the questions to the respondent and waits for the respondent to enter answers using the keypad on their telephone.
CHAPTER 5. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
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