Survey Budget

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Preparing estimated survey budgets is an important component of planning for and designing an impact evaluation. While the final cost of the exercise may depend on bids from research firms; it is important for the research team to have an accurate estimate of data collection costs, to verify that the data strategy is feasible and the study will be well-powered given the research budget.

Guidelines

Step 1: Make a list of things your budget should include

Salaries Allowances Equipment Transport Stationery Other Make a list of all the things that will go into your budget

Step 2: Talk to people who have implemented surveys in your setting!

How much do they pay for standard survey cost items? How do they organize transport for enumerators? Accommodation? Add item costs to the list you made

Step 3: Assumptions - Think through how the fieldwork might be organized

1. surveys/person/day?
2. teams I can realistically monitor?

time constraints training duration transport: car hire/okada/own bikes?

Step 4: Bring it all together

Link each budget line item with the assumptions and with the standard rates Add a buffer survey days in case there are delays. 15-20% extra is a good idea Budget for contingencies: unanticipated delays, re-training, fuel price hikes Make sure to take into account gross versus net budgeting, there may be country related administrative costs (i.e. taxes) that you have forgotten.

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This article is part of the topic Survey Firm Procurement

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