Developing and pre-testing research tools

Abstract

T he tools described here were chosen to test hypotheses relating to the sustainability of hygiene behaviours in research carried out in Africa and Asia (for more details see the Bolt article and the Shordt and Cairncross article in this issue). For this we selected data collection methods to provide information that was: l suitable to test the hypotheses l as unbiased as possible l would increase our insight and so improve future hygiene promotions. We used non-participatory and participatory tools, which would produce both quantitative and qualitative information. The tools were developed over several stages: first design, pre-testing, adaptation, first round of data collection, assessment of data quality and adaptation, and use in second round of data collection.