Study sequence

In describing the sequence for implementation of the methods in this case study, the schema proposed by Yin (2009) was used, and is given in Figure 8 below.(132)

Figure 8 Sequence of the case study

Iteration is part of the process of case study research. The planning phase took place in 2005 when the study was first conceived and involved arranging a research sabbatical in UNICEF HQ, discussions with Trinity College Dublin (TCD) to locate a supervisor and home department, and ensuring there were no institutional obstacles to using and analyzing the data. The original design was for a presentation of the BiH MICS 2000 survey with an in-depth quantitative analysis of the data. The initial

115 preparation took place in UNICEF HQ. BIH MICS 2000 survey materials were

collected, and the first history of the MICS survey tool was written based on a document review and interviews. Initial analysis suggested that a more original and useful contribution would be to explore the BiH MICS 2000 survey within its local context and to examine wider issues. This analysis was then shared with supervisor and peers and the design was adjusted. There were further iterations of these steps of preparation, collection, analysis and sharing of the findings.

As a result, the design changed significantly. The final design utilises the BiH MICS 2000 survey as a significant event from which its contribution to and impact on the national HIS could be assessed. At this point, the history of the MICS survey tool and the BiH MICS 2000 survey materials were largely moved into a separate case narrative chapter.

Throughout this process, study hypotheses were shaped and tentative themes, concepts, and relationships between the variables began to emerge. Eisenhardt (1989) notes that in shaping hypotheses, ‘the central idea is that researchers constantly compare theory and data-iterating toward a theory which closely fits the data.’ Eisenhardt further notes that ‘one step in shaping hypotheses is the sharpening of constructs. This is a two-part process involving (1) refining the definition of the construct and (2) building evidence which measures the construct in each case.’(133) With each iteration, sharing the findings with peers, the study supervisor and at conferences prompted a rethink of the design and a reformulation of the hypotheses. Time also played a part. At the time of the BiH MICS 2000 survey, little attention was paid in either practice of the literature to the wider effects of national households surveys, and analysis of HISs was at a preliminary stage. In any case study, an essential feature of theory building is comparison of the emergent concepts, theory, or hypotheses with the extant literature. The literature and conceptual thinking in relation to HISs and other aspects of this case study has greatly increased since 2010, particularly in the past five years.

The original study hypotheses formulated in 2005 were quite simple:

• The BIH MICS 2000 survey can provide up to date information for assessing the situation of children and women in BiH

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• The BIH MICS 2000 data can furnish the data needed to monitor progress towards the goals of 1990 – 2000 established at the WSC

• The study can be a basis for future action to improve the situation of women and children in BiH

• Lessons can be learned for carrying out this kind of survey in transitional and unstable countries.

The final hypotheses in 2010 are:

• The MICS survey arose from a centrally driven requirement within UNICEF to fulfill its mandate to support countries to measure global progress towards end- decade goals. Further developments were incremental within each of the four series and were influenced by international reporting and monitoring processes. The scope for customisation of the survey tool at the national level is limited.

• Modifications of the MICS 2 survey tool taking into account the particular circumstances of the country context enabled the BiH MICS 2000 survey to be implemented, but also restricted the survey design and implementation and affected the survey results.

• The data produced by the BiH MICS 2000 survey were accurate

• The indicators measured by the BiH MICS 2000 survey were timely, and relevant to BiH

• Comparable data was available for the indicators measured in the BiH MICS 2000 survey for the time points of 1990, 1995 and 2000, and the indicators could be compared over time.

• The indicators measured by the BiH MICS 2000 survey contributed to filling data gaps for key national human development monitoring processes in BiH.

• The BiH MICS 2000 survey increased BiH capacity to conduct national household surveys.

• The BiH HIS system was strengthened as a result of the BiH MICS 2000 survey.

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• Useful lessons can be learned and conclusions drawn for the future development of the HIS system and the future role of the MICS survey in BiH.

• Useful lessons can be learned and conclusions drawn from the BiH MICS 2000 case study that may be applicable to other post-conflict and resource-poor settings in the future.

The strategy of case method research is inductive, both exploratory and descriptive. This approach informs the researcher of possibilities which need to be shaped into putative theories and then hypotheses before further testing. The framework of analysis is presented next.