Decison Tree and DS ABA Toolkit.xlsx

	A	B	C	D
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2	Title	IDMC-IMPACT Tool Selection Decision Tree (2025) for the ABA DS Toolkit
3	File name	idmc_impact_tool_decision_tree_aba_durable_solutions_2025
4	Creator	Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and IMPACT Initiatives
5	Last updated	Nov-25
6	Description	The Decision Tree supports Step 5 of the Operational Guidelines by translating the analysis from earlier steps into a clear and feasible methodological pathway. It helps users determine whether Tool A, Tool B, or a concurrent combination of both is most appropriate. The tree ensures that selection is evidence-based, context-sensitive, and aligned with ethical and operational constraints.
7	Definitions	Tool A – A qualitative tool that generates contextual insights via Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Tool A primarily captures qualitative data and can be applied as a lighter, less resource-intensive option, particularly where high-quality secondary quantitative data already exists.
8		Tool B – A quantitative tool that collects statistically representative data through household surveys. Tool B primarily gathers structured quantitative data at household level.
9		Tool A + B (mixed methods) – Both tools are used together to combine contextual understanding with statistically representative measurement, providing comprehensive evidence suitable for planning, coordination, and policy-level decision-making.
10	How the Decision Tree works	The logic is structured around four sequential checks that are informed from by knowledge of the practitioners and complemented by previous steps of the Operational Guidelines. These checks narrow the assessment to the most appropriate tool family.
11	Decision Logic
12		Check	Purpose	Implication for tool choice
13		Policy & Stakeholders	Tests ethical/political permissibility and whether authorities require a particular method	If constraints exist, qualitative (Tool A) is prioritised
14		Research Objectives	Clarifies what the assessment is trying to achieve and for whom	May open space for mixed methods in principle
15		Information Landscape	Assesses whether reliable quantitative data already exists, or whether new collection is justified	If no quant gap exists, Tool B is not justified
16		Feasibility & Capacity	Tests time, access, skills and resources required for each method	If household survey is disproportionate, Tool A is selected
17	Key Decision Rule	If different checks point in different directions, the tool is selected according to the strongest binding constraint. In practice, this typically arises in Step 3 (information landscape) or Step 4 (feasibility & capacity), which eliminate options that are unjustified or disproportionate. Ethical/political feasibility and operational constraints may override ambition, while objectives guide the choice within the feasible set.
18	How to use this file	1) Review policy/stakeholder constraints 2) Define objectives and audience 3) Review the information landscape (existing evidence and gaps) 4) Test feasibility and capacity 5) Apply decision rule to determine Tool A / Tool B / Tool A + B (mixed methods). Final instrument design is detailed in the Operational Guidelines.
19	Link to Guidelines	See Step 5 of the Operational Guidelines (Tool Selection).
20	Contact	info@idmc.ch
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