From Stories to

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Session 9
From Stories to Formal Data
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• Data Collection - Womens Centres Sri Lanka
• QUALITATIVE DATA
• Womens Stories Womens Evidence

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• STEP 1
• Organise the information into Themes
• e.g.
• Domestic violence
• Risks for adolescent girls
• Grief
• Forced marriage
• Early Marriage
• Special Problems for widows

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• STEP 2
• Identify details within the themes e.g.
• Domestic violence details
• Lack of privacy in camps and
• temporary shelters
• Alcohol consumption by men
• Family breakdown due to death
• Patriarchal attitudes

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• STEP 3
• Record the types of assistance requested, eg,
  housing, protection, income generation
• Record solutions suggested by the women, eg
  Family reconciliation, involvement in decision
  making committees, micro credit schemes

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QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION
Collecting quantitative data during this process
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• STEP 1
• Keep basic data of women who use the Centre or
  engage with the Centre programs and staff. e.g.
• Age
• Education Level
• Family structure
• Religion
• Language
• Tsunami Affected Women

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STEP 2
Each month compile a profile of the women who
have used the Centre
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STEP 3

• Deriving quantitative data from all sources of
  qualitative evidence.
• Any mix following might be used
• Personal Interviews
• Counseling
• Story circles
• Storyboard work
• Group work.
• In each case, the data must be formally recorded
  permission must be given for its use.
• A Centre may collect
• 50 documented stories
• (evidence) using any of these
• methods in a month.

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STEP 4
Record How many of the stories reported a
problem which fits into the themes. e.g. how
many of the stories reported widows being
harassed and how many reported widows being
thrown out of their homes. Types of help
requested Suggested solutions
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STEP 5
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER GIVING WOMEN A
VOICE Prepare a report which combines the
profile of the women who have attended the
Centre, the problems which they have reported,
and the themes which have emerged from your
analysis. NB Reports can be monthly, three
monthly, six monthly and annual.
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BOOKS CELEBRATING WOMENS STRENGTHS
The books about womens strengths are additional
to these reports but they come out of the
qualitative information gathered. The Book
project will create more opportunities for women
to give evidence.
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Human Rights Documentation Techniques
What is the difference between story telling and
story documentation? Interviewing
techniques Recording techniques Data
analysis Use of forms