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Nine connected stages

Our approach

Every method must serve a clear question

ERC's approach is designed to keep the intended decision visible through study design, data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and communication.

Discuss an evidence need

The nine stages

  1. 01

    Frame the decision

    We begin by identifying who needs to decide what, by when, and with which consequences. This prevents a broad request for data from becoming an unfocused study.

  2. 02

    Define the research question

    We translate the decision into answerable questions, clarify key concepts, and identify the evidence that would be useful, sufficient, and realistic.

  3. 03

    Design methodology and sampling

    We select a quantitative, qualitative, spatial, or mixed-method approach suited to the question. Sampling choices consider the intended population, precision, diversity, access, time, and limits on inference.

  4. 04

    Develop and test tools

    Questions, guides, and checklists are reviewed for relevance, clarity, burden, sensitivity, and translation. Piloting helps identify confusion and operational problems before wider collection.

  5. 05

    Train and supervise field teams

    Preparation focuses on the purpose of each question, informed participation, safeguarding, neutral practice, device or form use, escalation, and quality expectations. Supervision is planned before deployment.

  6. 06

    Assure data quality

    Quality controls may include field observation, daily review, consistency and completeness checks, documented corrections, back-checks where suitable, version discipline, and escalation of material concerns.

  7. 07

    Analyze and interpret

    Analysis follows an agreed plan while remaining alert to unexpected patterns. Quantitative, qualitative, contextual, and spatial evidence are compared carefully. Limitations remain visible.

  8. 08

    Validate findings

    Validation tests whether interpretations are credible and understandable. It is not an invitation to replace inconvenient evidence. Differences in interpretation are documented and examined.

  9. 09

    Translate evidence into decisions

    Reports, briefs, visualizations, workshops, and presentations are shaped around their users. Recommendations identify the evidence behind them, the actor able to respond, and the practical implication.

Responsible research requires active choices

ERC's approach is designed to incorporate safeguarding, do-no-harm, inclusion, gender sensitivity, conflict sensitivity, data protection, and environmental considerations according to the engagement. Ethical and operational risks are identified early, ownership and access are clarified, and unnecessary data should not be collected.

Credibility includes saying what the evidence cannot show

Every study has boundaries. Access, timing, non-response, measurement, available records, and contextual change may affect interpretation. ERC communicates material limitations so decision makers can use findings with appropriate care.

Technology supports the method

Digital collection and analysis tools may include KoBo, ODK, SurveyCTO, SPSS, Stata, R, and GIS software. Tools are selected for fitness, security, usability, handover needs, and context. They do not substitute for clear questions, ethical practice, or sound judgement.

  • KoBo
  • ODK
  • SurveyCTO
  • SPSS
  • Stata
  • R
  • GIS software

A strong study starts with a well-framed decision

Share the decision, intended users, timing, and context. ERC can help define an appropriate evidence route.

Discuss your project