Data collection and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) have always been an integral part of development work. In the past, these tasks were performed with paper and pen, which made them prone to error, difficult to conduct on a large scale, and high in transaction costs.

Excel has powerful tools that enable busy users to set up systems that simplify data analysis and interpretation. Effectively using Excel allows users to devote their time more profitably to making decisions about and acting on results, with more effective outcomes. 

If we want to broaden or deepen our understanding of how things came to be the way they are in our social world, qualitative research has no substitute. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of qualitative studies been carried. Qualitative research usually produces large amounts of textual data in the form of transcripts and field notes.

The exercise of data collection remains indispensable in capturing quality evidence that then translates to rich data analysis and allows the building of a convincing and credible answer to questions that have been posed. With different organizations, professional, Programmes and projects collecting data regularly 

All researchers are based on some underlying philosophical assumptions about what constitutes valid research and which research design and methodology method(s) is/are appropriate for the development of knowledge in a given research. 

Stata statistical software is an interactive data management and statistical analysis program, which has become very popular among researchers in most disciplines. The programme provides a broad range of statistics. It is very user-friendly and the tremendous potential of Stata to benefit the data management process is extremely amazing and exciting to explore.  

Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data improves an evaluation by ensuring that the limitations of one type of data are balanced by the strengths of another. This then ensures that understanding is improved by integrating different ways of knowing. Some of the values of using both qualitative and quantitative research methods include the ability to enriching data, examining findings, explaining findings and triangulation.

The exercise of data collection remains indispensable in capturing quality evidence that then translates to rich data analysis and allows the building of a convincing and credible answer to questions that have been posed. 

Data collection and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) have always been an integral part of development work. In the past, these tasks were performed with paper and pen, which made them prone to error, difficult to conduct on a large scale, and high in transaction costs.

Excel has powerful tools that enable busy users to set up systems that simplify data analysis and interpretation. Effectively using Excel allows users to devote their time more profitably to making decisions about and acting on results, with more effective outcomes.