4.5 Managing information for technology evaluation
Information management refers to the cycle of information collection,
analysis, interpretation, reporting and feedback. Methods for collecting
information (e.g. surveys) should be pre-tested with a small sample of farmers and modified if necessary. Tools for recording information may
include field notebooks, flip charts, blackboards, data forms, questionnaires
or photographs. In general, the use of long questionnaires is discouraged in
technology evaluation because of the amount of time required to obtain
results and provide feedback to farmers and extension workers. Statistical
analysis methods are only to be recommended for projects with adequate
staff resources and expertise, and recourse to a statistician.