Development Research in Practice: The DIME Analytics Data Handbook

by Kristoffer Bjärkefur, Lu�za Cardoso, Benjamin Daniels

Development Research in Practice is intended to teach all users of development data how to handle data effectively, efficiently, and ethically. The Handbook leads the reader through a complete empirical research project, providing links to continuously-updated resources on the DIME Wiki as well as illustrative examples from the Demand for Safe Spaces study conducted in Rio de Janeiro. The premise is that standardizing and simplifying data tasks improves research quality and enables more effective collaboration. The first chapter introduces principles for conducting reproducible, transparent, and credible development research. The second chapter describes technical tools and set-up necessary for effective research in today's collaborative and data-driven world. The third chapter details the theory and practice of data-driven measurement frameworks, including research design, data mapping, and implementation of randomized study designs. The fourth chapter covers the data acquisition process for primary and secondary data, and details special considerations for collecting high-quality survey data. The fifth chapter dives into the process of cleaning and exploring research data. The sixth chapter provides a guide to building analytical datasets, writing data analysis code, and creating reproducible research outputs. The seventh chapter addresses research publication, including the preparation of reproducibility packages and publishing data. The practical approach and narrative structure of these chapters are designed for both newcomers to empirical research as well as experienced professionals. The Development Research in Practice handbook is therefore a quintessential desk reference for anyone who handles data as part of a research team, policymakers and managers who oversee such endeavors, and students in any discipline who plan to enter the modern research workforce.

228 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2021