Quantitative research can provide a comprehensive and descriptive profile of ‘what’ is happening and ‘where’. Quantitative methods generate data that is comparable across different populations, and over time. This data can be used to make generalisation from a research sample to a broader population, and to test particular theories and hypotheses.

Quantitative data is particularly valued in its potential to provide objective and measurable information concerning the impacts of programme interventions.

Indexes for Programming

Our team has particular expertise in designing ‘indexes’ for hard-to-measure variables. For example, we recently worked with Plan International to develop two quantifiable indexes that can be used for evaluating programming on child marriage cross-culturally. The first is designed to rank research subjects on a quantifiable ‘Child Marriage Acceptability Scale’. The second index scores communities according to the presence of structural conditions associated with the practice of child marriage.

Coram International has 18 years of experience in conducting quantitative research, such as designing and delivering surveys and analysing large data-sets. Between 2014 and 2015, we conducted research for Plan International in relation to child marriage in Asia which involved quantitative data collection in three countries, as well as analysis of large data-sets to develop final reports and recommendations.