Once theories of change have been identified, program designers can begin to map the causal pathways
that explain how program activities lead to incremental changes which will ultimately bring about the
final desired outcome (i.e. stability in the region). Once these steps have been identified, then a
research team can brainstorm potential indicators to measure each step of the causal chain. Once
indicators are established, then data collection tools can be developed to measure the indicators.
For the EAPC research project, the Headquarters-based research team spent six months researching
indicators from prior programs, other organizations, and the academic community, ultimately
developing a range of indicators for both peace & stability and economics & conflict, the list of which
can be found in Mercy Corps’ final report, “Conflict & Economics: Lessons Learned on Measuring
Impact.” These indicators were then tested and revised with field staff. Below is a chart from this
final report which shows which indicators could be developed based on the causal steps in a theory of
change:
(Chart: “Conflict & Economics: Lessons Learned on Measuring Impact,” J. Vaughan, Mercy Corps, (2011), p. 10)
The EAPC research project utilized mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools
to measure their indicators: 1) surveys, 2) participatory assessment tools, and 3) monitoring
forms. These various tools complemented each other, provided contextual information, and
triangulated trends. Similar data was collected in different ways in order to figure out which method
was most effective. Surveys were used in order to generate enough data to detect important
patterns. Participatory assessment tools complemented the survey data by triangulating the data and
by providing contextual information through open-ended facilitated discussion questions. Monitoring
forms served to gather data on violent incidents as they occurred.
Mercy Corps chose three programs to pilot its research grant. Each chosen program had a specific
goal of promoting peace through economic development. Programs chosen for the case studies
included Building Bridges to Peace (BBP) in Uganda, Maluku Economic Recovery Program II (MERP II) in
Indonesia, and Strengthening Institutions for Peace and Development (SIPED) in Ethiopia. The research
activities were conducted during the course of regular M&E activities for these field programs, and
data collection was managed by field staff. Initial surveys and participatory data collection tools were
piloted in the SIPED program in Ethiopia and then utilized in the programs in Uganda and Indonesia;
results from the EAPC research projects in these latter two countries were developed into separate
reports, and these two case studies will be highlighted in this lesson.
Mercy Corps’ BBP program in northern Uganda was designed to engage agropastoralist communities
in Karamoja, a poor region which has experienced pervasive violence especially in the form of cattle
Table of Contents | Quick Look | Contact PKSOI
26