The Minister Loves it… and Other Biases Shaping Your Program Decisions

What do we need to know to make this project work and how will we know if it worked? These are two fundamental questions we ask ourselves as practitioners. To answer these questions we rely on research. Research evidence is one of the most powerful tools we have in our development toolbox to specify problems, identify root causes, and use our resources strategically to encourage meaningful change and improvements in people's lives. However, researchers, like all humans, are prone to bias — and if left unchecked, that bias can make research evidence less reliable. As the commissioners of this research we are often guilty of contributing to bias with some of the choices we make. However, by understanding common types of bias and how to identify them, we have the opportunity to use well-tested strategies and tools to protect against bias and create the best-informed programs.