Services

Services & Expertise

Research and field services built around what an assignment actually needs.

MFRS India supports research, surveys, monitoring and evaluation, field data collection, research and programme advisory, training, documentation and data-related assignments across social, economic, public-sector and market research environments.

Some clients need a field team for a study that is already designed. Others need support with tools, monitoring, data handling, analysis or reporting. We therefore define the service around the assignment rather than forcing every project into the same package.

A Quick Guide

If this is what you need, start here.

“We need a baseline, endline, KAP study or other structured research assignment.”
Research & Studies →
“Our methodology and questionnaire are ready. We need field teams and supervision.”
Field Operations & Data Collection →
“We need an external view of what is actually happening in programme implementation.”
Monitoring, Evaluation & Verification →
“We need help turning a research or programme requirement into a workable field plan.”
Consulting & Advisory →
“We need investigators, supervisors or project teams prepared for an assignment.”
Training & Capacity Building →
“We need research reports, briefs, case studies or project documentation.”
Documentation & Reporting →
“We need digital forms, cleaned data, MIS, dashboards or analytical support.”
Digital & Data Support →
01

Research & Study Services

Research assignments differ in purpose, respondents and level of methodological support required. Depending on scope, MFRS can support study planning, tool preparation, piloting, field execution, data review and reporting — or work within a research design already prepared by the client.

Quantitative Research

Structured measurement using questionnaires and other standardised instruments where numerical evidence is required.

Qualitative Research

Assignment-specific support for interviews, discussions, observations and other qualitative approaches where deeper contextual understanding is required.

Mixed-Method Studies

Combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches where the research question benefits from both measurement and contextual evidence.

Baseline, Midline & Endline Studies

Measurement at relevant stages of a programme to understand starting conditions, implementation changes and outcomes.

Household & Individual Surveys

Structured research with households and individuals across social, economic, health and development themes.

Institutional Surveys

Research involving schools, facilities, businesses, service providers, programme institutions and other organisations.

Market & Consumer Research

Consumer, service, demand, perception and market-oriented research for private and institutional clients.

KAP Studies

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice research where programmes need to understand awareness, perception and behaviour.

Needs & Situation Assessments

Assessment of existing conditions, gaps, needs and implementation priorities before or during an intervention.

Outcome & Impact Evaluation Support

Research and analytical support for assessing programme outcomes and, where the evaluation design permits, estimating or examining attributable impact.

Social & Economic Research

Research relating to communities, livelihoods, employment, financial conditions, services and public programmes.

Questionnaire & Tool Support

Questionnaire development, field review, piloting and adaptation of instruments where these activities form part of the agreed scope.

Typical assignment formats
Baseline Survey Midline Survey Endline Survey Household Survey KAP Study Needs Assessment Market Research Institutional Study Mixed-Method Research
↑ Back to top
02

Field Operations & Data Collection

Good field data depends on more than placing investigators in a location. Teams need to understand the instrument, respondent selection, field protocol, supervision structure and what to do when actual field conditions differ from the original plan.

Field Data Collection

Household, individual, institutional, community and programme-level data collection according to assignment requirements.

Investigator Deployment

Project-based deployment of field personnel according to geography, language, sample, respondent group and timeline.

Field Supervision

Defined supervisory structures for field progress, investigator support, issue escalation and quality review.

Digital Data Collection

Depending on the assignment, collection may use KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO or another client-approved platform.

Facility & Institutional Assessment

Structured field assessment of facilities, institutions, service points and programme-delivery environments.

Telephonic Surveys

Phone-based surveys and follow-up activity where the research design and respondent context make remote collection appropriate.

GPS & Location-Linked Fieldwork

Location-linked data collection where required by the approved project tool and study protocol.

Field Quality Checks

Assignment-specific field review, spot checks, back-checks or respondent verification where included in the approved quality plan.

Field Progress & Issue Reporting

Structured reporting of field progress, non-response, access constraints and material issues requiring supervisor or client attention.

Digital tools help with quality. They do not create it by themselves.

Validation rules, timestamps and location information can identify certain problems, but they do not replace investigator preparation, supervision or field judgement. Technology is therefore used as part of the quality process, not as a substitute for it.

↑ Back to top
03

Monitoring, Evaluation & Verification

Monitoring is useful when it helps a programme team understand what is happening in implementation, rather than simply confirming that an activity has been recorded as complete. The exact monitoring or evaluation approach depends on the programme, indicators and commissioning requirement.

Third-Party Monitoring

External field observation and assessment where the commissioning organisation requires an independent operating view.

Concurrent Monitoring

Monitoring while implementation is active so operational issues can be identified while they can still be acted upon.

Programme Monitoring

Field-level review of programme implementation, coverage, processes and agreed operational indicators.

Independent Verification

Verification of reported activities, beneficiaries, facilities, assets, outputs or records according to an approved methodology.

Process Evaluation

Examination of how a programme is being delivered and where implementation differs from its intended process.

Outcome Evaluation

Assessment of programme results using the indicators, evidence and evaluation framework agreed for the assignment.

Facility & Service Assessments

Structured assessment of facilities, service points and programme-delivery environments.

Social Audit Support

Field research, verification and documentation support for assignments involving accountability and programme review.

Monitoring Framework Support

Support in translating programme objectives into practical indicators, field checks and reporting structures.

↑ Back to top
04

Consulting & Advisory Services

Some organisations have their programme or research team in place but need additional support around study planning, monitoring structures, field feasibility or technical documentation. MFRS can support a defined part of that process without requiring the entire assignment to be outsourced.

Research Planning

Practical input on scope, respondent structure, study tools, field feasibility and implementation planning.

Project Proposal Support

Proposal support covering approach, methodology, implementation structure and operational planning where relevant.

DPR & Project Documentation Support

Preparation or structuring of project documentation around objectives, activities, implementation arrangements, resources, monitoring and expected outputs, according to the assignment.

SOP Development

Standard operating procedures designed around how a programme, project or field process is expected to operate.

Monitoring Frameworks

Structures linking programme objectives with indicators, evidence, responsibilities and reporting processes.

Logical Framework Support

Logframe development or refinement linking activities, outputs, outcomes, indicators and assumptions.

Technical Documentation

Research and programme documents intended for practical institutional, operational or client use.

Field Feasibility Review

Review of whether proposed geography, staffing, sample, timeline and operating structure are practically workable.

Implementation Support

Assignment-specific support where an organisation needs help translating a plan into practical operations.

↑ Back to top
05

Training & Capacity Building

Field training is most useful when it prepares people for the decisions they will face during the assignment, not only for reading an instrument. Training content is therefore shaped around the methodology, respondent group, tools, protocols and quality requirements of the work.

Investigator Training

Assignment-specific preparation for investigators before field deployment.

Supervisor Training

Preparation for field planning, investigator support, quality review and issue escalation.

Research Methodology Training

Practical sessions covering research concepts relevant to the intended study and audience.

Data Collection Training

Training on instruments, respondent interaction and collection protocols for paper or digital studies.

M&E Training

Capacity building around indicators, evidence, monitoring processes and field verification.

Project Workshops

Custom sessions for project teams, programme personnel or partner organisations according to assignment needs.

↑ Back to top
06

Documentation & Reporting

Fieldwork becomes useful to decision-makers when the information is organised clearly enough to understand what was done, what the evidence shows and what limitations remain. Reporting should stay connected to the underlying field process and data.

Research Reports

Structured reports presenting study approach, findings, interpretation, limitations and relevant conclusions.

Project Reports

Documentation of implementation, activities, progress, observations and assignment outputs.

Annual Reports

Organisation or programme reporting bringing together activities, evidence, progress and supporting documentation.

Case Studies & Programme Narratives

Evidence-based documentation of individual, community, programme or implementation experiences where supported by the underlying records and findings.

Policy & Management Briefs

Concise presentation of findings and implications for readers who need the key evidence without a full technical report.

Field Documentation

Progress records, field observations, supervision notes and operational documentation required by the assignment.

Presentation Support

Clear presentation of project findings and evidence for client, programme or institutional discussions.

↑ Back to top
07

Digital & Data Support

Research systems should make information easier to collect, review and use. Depending on project requirements, MFRS can support digital survey forms, data processing, MIS structures, dashboards and visualisation alongside research and field operations.

Survey Form Programming

Digital questionnaire programming with skip patterns, validation rules and assignment-specific logic.

Kobo / ODK / SurveyCTO Support

Form and field-workflow support using appropriate digital platforms where required by the project.

Data Validation & Cleaning

Structured review and preparation of project datasets according to agreed quality rules.

MIS Support

Project-level information-management structures for field progress, records and reporting.

Dashboard Support

Project-based dashboards for summarising and reviewing relevant monitoring or research information.

Data Visualisation

Charts, tables and other visual presentation of research and monitoring data for clearer interpretation.

Research Data Management

Structuring, organising and maintaining project datasets and related research records according to agreed requirements.

Data Analysis Support

Assignment-specific descriptive analysis, tabulation and analytical support according to scope and available data.

↑ Back to top
How Clients Can Engage Us

The level of support depends on what is already in place.

MFRS can take responsibility for a defined part of an assignment or support a broader research and field-delivery chain, depending on the client’s methodology, internal capacity and project requirement.

Defined Scope

Field Execution Support

The client provides the research design and instruments; MFRS supports recruitment, training, deployment, supervision, collection and agreed field-quality processes.

Combined Support

Research & Field Support

MFRS supports selected research-planning activities together with tool preparation, piloting, field execution, data handling and reporting.

Broader Assignment

End-to-End Assignment Support

Where appropriate and within capability, MFRS can support an assignment from scoping and methodology through fieldwork, data, analysis and final reporting.

Service Lifecycle

See how an assignment moves from scope to delivery.

Research design, field planning, data collection, quality control, analysis and reporting can form one connected process. Our Service Lifecycle explains how these stages fit together when they form part of the agreed scope.

Explore the Service Lifecycle →
Research & Programme Areas

Research and programme environments vary; the operating discipline should not.

The methods and field systems described above can be applied across a range of research and programme contexts. Assignment suitability depends on the subject matter, methodology, geography and expertise required.

Public Health
Education
Agriculture
Rural Development
Financial Inclusion
Livelihoods & Skills
Women & Child Development
Disability & Social Protection
Market & Consumer Research
Water & Sanitation
Community Programmes
Government Programme Monitoring
Planning An Assignment?

A useful first conversation does not need a finished RFP.

If the assignment is still being planned, a few practical details are enough for us to begin understanding the requirement.

  • What is the study or programme about? A short description of the research question, programme or business need.
  • Where will the work happen? States, districts, blocks, cities or other relevant geography.
  • Who are the respondents? Households, farmers, youth, facilities, employees, customers, institutions or another group.
  • What is the expected sample or scale? An approximate figure can help with initial field planning.
  • What is the timeline? Proposed start, field period and expected delivery date.
  • What support do you need? Research, fieldwork, monitoring, data, reporting or a combination of services.

Feasibility comes before a capacity promise.

Geography, questionnaire length, respondent profile, travel, permissions, field conditions and supervision requirements can materially change the team and time a study needs. Those factors should be understood before deployment commitments are made.

Have these details ready? Send us the requirement and our team can review the scope.

Discuss an Assignment →

The service is only useful if it works in the field and the evidence holds up afterwards.

MFRS brings research planning, field operations, monitoring, data management and documentation together according to the needs of each assignment, with responsibilities and quality processes defined around the work being undertaken.

Scroll to Top