Sampling is fundamental in quantitative assessments to ensure representativeness of the data. The WFP Sampling Guidance on Household Food Security Assessments is designed to support Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Officers in planning and implementing statistically sound and operationally feasible surveys.
The guidance provides:
Tips on selecting appropriate sampling methods.
Step-by-step sample size calculation tailored to different survey designs
Guidance on constructing and applying survey weights, especially for complex face-to-face and remote surveys.
Decision tools and checklists to help navigate sampling choices under resource constraints
Available Resources for Food Security Assessments
WFP Handbook: Sampling Guidance on Household Food Security Assessments
RAM position paper on data stratification and disaggregation
Available Resources for Assessments Including Nutrition Outcomes
Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA) software is a user-friendly analytical program recommended by SMART. It has automated functions for sample size calculations, sample selection, quality checks, standardization for anthropometry measurements, and report generation with automatic analyses. ENA is highly favoured by field practitioners; it facilitates survey planning, data collection, analysis and reporting with the ability to generate automatic standard tables and graphs for anthropometric indices and plausibility check reports
For more information, please contact the Assessments and Targeting Unit in HQ VAM at global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org.