Stage 3: Undertake Research

The key steps in this stage are:

 Data collection and/or analysis
 Writing process
 Monitoring progress

This part of the research process is often carried out in partnership with an external team of
researchers. Careful planning and a quality ToR prepared during the previous stage will go a long
way towards ensuring that Stage 3 is implemented successfully. UNICEF research products should be
of high quality both in content and overall presentation and need to be guided by internal guidelines
on format and style. All research activities must be monitored to ensure their timeliness and
adherence to the carefully laid plans of Stage 2.

Examples of tools and processes used by UNICEF COs and ROs during Stage 3:
[Please note: No specific tools and processes were reported by UNICEF ROs and COs for ‘data
collection and/or analysis’, but the review bodies and plans mentioned in the previous stages are
also likely to be used during this step.]

 Writing process
Tools
 UNICEF Adapted UNEG Evaluation Report Standards. Example: UNICEF DRC uses these
standards to ensure research and evaluation reports cover key areas. UNICEF-Adapted UNEG
Evaluation Reports Standards.pdf 1
 Guidelines on suggested contents of reports. Example: UNICEF China has ‘A Booklet for
Studies, Surveys and Evaluations’ (in Chinese and English), which provides guidelines on
what should be included in reports of studies, surveys and evaluations. See pp. 5-6: China
CO A booklet for Studies, Surveys and Evaluations June 2011.pdf

 Monitoring progress
Tools
 IMEP Implementation Monitoring Matrix. Example: UNICEF Viet Nam has an IMEP
Implementation Monitoring Matrix to track research activities quarterly. See SOP 2012,
Annex 26, p. 139. Vietnam CO SOP 2012pdf.pdf

1
Tools and guidelines developed for evaluations are often helpful to research activities, but to ensure highest
quality standards, materials customised to research should be used where possible.