ASSESSMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL TOOL



Data Collection Instrument: Toolkit Module 6

The GAP Toolkit Module 6 is a data collection instrument based on 'focus assessment' study. The instrument is a qualitative approach to data collection, which was developed by United Nation office for Drugs and Crime. The instrument was developed as part of the activities in United Nation GAP (Global Assessment Program) which is aimed at assisting member states of United Nations to collect internationally comparable and reliable data, providing guidance in demand reduction activities by building capacity at local level, and improving global, regional and cross-national reporting on drug trends. The Toolkit Module 6 investigates the causes of drug use and its impact on the human behavior. Toolkit Module 6 uses variety of methods to collect the data in order to cross-validate it (Tim, 2001).

History of the Instrument

In Vienna, December 2001, a global workshop was held on the topic “Drug Information Systems: Methods, Activities, and Future Opportunities”. In this global workshop, all the participant countries representatives agreed that a module based on focus assessment study should be included in GAP Epidemiological Toolkit. Before the integration of module 6, 5 other modules for data collection were included in the toolkit. The module 6 was included to enhance the quality, reliability and international competitiveness of the data collected by GAP Epidemiological Toolkit (Tim, 2001).

GAP Epidemiological Toolkit was developed with an objective to provide an accessible and practical guide to implement data collection in all the core areas. All the modules including Module 6 in GAP Epidemiological Toolkit are developed to facilitate the development of particular activates at GAP and are based on data collection principles recognized by International Expert Panel on drugs in United Nations and endorsed by all the member states of United Nations (Tim, 2001) (J, 2001).

What is a Focus assessment study?

A focus assessment study is a multi-method, theme-guided, data collection approach which mainly utilizes qualitative research methods for investigating a particular problematic behavior in a target population (such as drug dealers, street children or a particular ethnic group). The study explores the social context and social meaning of a particular behavior from target population's perspective and from those who are in contact with the member or members of a target population. Results are used to improve, identify, and plan intervention programs. Usual period for a focus assessment study is four months (J, 2001).

Toolkit Module 6 acts as a practical guide in the implementation of a focus assessment study. Its aim is to guide and facilitate those who have little or no experience in conducting research and using qualitative methods in the research. The toolkit module 6 sharply focuses on the necessary consideration for a successful completion of a study. Toolkit module 6 does not include complex procedural and theoretical discussion of the different dimensions of the research process due to its users who are mainly little experienced in performing qualitative research.

Multiple Research Methods used in Toolkit Module 6

In Toolkit module 6, several methods can be employed to investigate the phenomenon ...