Human Face to Data as a Contemporary Approach to Decision Making in the Development Sector

Abstract

We live in an age of development where the need for accountability in using aid resources led to big data generation. This paper revisits such data in a food security program in Bangladesh. The program initiated a longitudinal study that measures effects on the adoption of agricultural productivity, women empowerment, and health and nutrition practices of participants. The results of this study have been impressive and in line with the program logic. However, the program deduced a need to move beyond numbers to understand individual experiences. The paper builds the case for using ‘human face', a qualitative approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of data. The program purposively selected eight respondents from the sample of the longitudinal study, interviewed them using a semi-structured checklist, and, later analyzed the data using a case study approach. The results revealed that not every increasing pattern had positive implications, nor did limited progress meant a negative impact on subjects. The program utilized this insight for reviewing program implementation strategy.