Merl Tech blog posts series on practicalities of responsible data management for M&E

This blog series is composed of 3 blog posts focusing on Part 2 of the Responsible Data Governance in M&E in the African Context report, which explores practical approaches to responsible data management, before, during, and after data collection. There are seven stages in the data lifecycle covered in this series.

• Blog post n°1: Responsible Data Management for M&E: Stage 1 – Design and Planning

Designing and Planning is Stage 1 of responsible data governance according to our guiding framework. At this stage, we recommend planning and designing for the full Data Lifecycle, including legal aspects, data sharing plans, risk-benefit assessment, and budgeting.

• Blog post n°2: How to responsibly collect or acquire data for M&E

In the second blog post, we dive into Stage 2 of our guiding framework: Collecting or Acquiring Data. Here we offer guidance on aspects of data collection such as risk-benefit, data minimisation, informed consent, and ethical review/institutional review boards.

• Blog post n°3: How to Responsibly Transmit and Store M&E Data

Responsible data transmission and storage is stage 3 of responsible data governance according to our guiding framework. Here we offer guidance on data security during transmission and storage, key questions for review of third-party vendors, and orientation on data breach protocols.