Measurement tools and approaches

On this page we’ve included a broad range of tools; from easier-to-use approaches through to in-depth tools that require more time and expertise.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but gives a flavour of the types of tools and approaches available.

Early discussions will enable you to build the best approach into your MEL plan and be adequately resourced. This includes project learning questions and mid or end term evaluation plans. You may decide that existing MEL processes or standard indicators will not capture the information you need, so you may choose to budget for additional data collection or operational research.

Often a combination of tools and approaches will need to be used to effectively demonstrate the change process, and the tools will need to be appropriately embedded in the project’s overall measurement approach.

Jump to:
Quantitative | Qualitative | Data analytics | Participatory | Other

There are a variety of standard questions and stigma scales that can be included in or adapted for different data collection approaches: below are some examples. In all cases they need to be piloted and tested in the relevant context.

Five-question stigma indicators
Assesses stigma for communities and affected people.
Type of stigma assessed: Internalised, social
More details: InfoNTD.org

Community attitudes toward mental illness scale (CAMI)
Assesses community attitudes towards people with mental health conditions.
Type of stigma assessed: Social
More details: CAMIscale.com

Explanatory model interview catalogue community stigma scale (EMIC-CSS)
Measures perceived attitudes and behaviour towards stigmatised individuals. Covers areas of life that may be affected by stigma: concealment, avoidance, pity, shame, being made fun of, respect, marriage prospects.
Type of stigma assessed: Social
More details: InfoNTD.org
Example: Sightsavers’ Global Labor Initiative baseline assessed experiences of stigma or support using a modified version of the EMIC Community Scale.

INDIGO questionnaires, ie Discrimination and Stigma short version (DISCUS)
Looks at different dimensions of stigma: discrimination and stigma experienced, mental health knowledge, clinicians’ attitudes to mental health, reported and intended behaviour.
Type of stigma assessed: Internalised, social
More details: Indigo-group.org

Women with disabilities stigma inventory (WDSI)
Developed by the United Nations Development Programme and UN Women, with funding from the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  This survey tool assesses the experiences of women and girls with disabilities regarding stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence. The website also includes an ethic standard and methodological note.
More details: UNWomen.org

Semi-structured interviews
Can be used to establish an in-depth conversation and understanding of perceptions around stigma.
Type of stigma assessed: All
More details: BetterEvaluation.org interviews

Focus group discussion
A type of group interview that can be used to explore people’s attitudes and common issues.
Type of stigma assessed: All
More details: BetterEvaluation.org focus groups

Vignettes
These short stories are about a hypothetical person or situation, followed by related questions. Can be used to explore beliefs, values and social norms and capture how they may have changed.
Type of stigma assessed: Social, stigma by association, internalised
Example: Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on frontline health workers in Nigeria using vignettes

Social media analytics (ie number of shares, impressions)
Provides a picture of the reach of a social media campaign.
Type of stigma assessed: N/A
Example: BBC Media Action project in Nigeria

Health and education secondary data
School enrolment data and drop out data; eye health clinic attendance.
Type of stigma assessed: Behavioural
Example: Zambia whole school approach

These approaches and tools are generally qualitative, and actively involve project participants, including those affected. Techniques vary widely, but usually involves fostering dialogue and discussion, from a range of perspectives.

Photovoice
Used with individuals to express their lived experiences through photographs. The approach also engages participants in dialogue about the meanings behind their images.
Type of stigma assessed: Internalised, stigma by association
More details: Photovoice training for community facilitators
Example: Stories of stigma: How Kupenda is reducing negative perceptions about disability

Most significant stories of change
Can be used to generate and analyse accounts or experiences of change relating to stigma over time.  Explores what is significant to people – and why.
Type of stigma assessed: All
More details: BetterEvaluation.org most significant change stories

Participatory video
Used with stakeholders to discuss their experiences of how stigma has affected them, and explore changes in stigma.
Type of stigma assessed: All
More details: BetterEvaluation.org participatory video
Example: Redress project

This section includes operational research, quality of life and wellbeing studies, and longitudinal research.

Participation scale
Assesses the participation of people with a disability or health condition.
Type of stigma assessed: All
More details: InfoNTD.org participation scale toolkit
Example: Sightsavers levels of participation of people with disabilities in inclusive local development

Quality of life and wellbeing measures
Includes a wide variety of tools.
Type of stigma assessed: Internalised, social, stigma by association
Example 1: WHO QL: Measuring quality of life
Example 2: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory

Longitudinal research
Explores changes over time, and the complexity of factors that contribute to change.
Type of stigma assessed: All
Example: LSHTM research in Ghana into stigma and quality of life