Table 1 The CIET fact-finding/feedback cycle

1. Identification of the issue to be researched, for example, access to water and sanitation, access to and use of services, adequate food supply, etc.

2. Ordering and analysis of data from routine sources and previous studies, attempting to align data in three analytical categories: impact, coverage, and costs.

3. Development of the instruments including precise objectives, questionnaire, key informant interviews, data entry format, and report outline.

4. Pilot testing including data entry and analysis.

5. Fieldwork including household questionnaires and qualitative techniques (key informants, observation, focus group discussions).

6. Data entry and preliminary analysis, identification of confounders and effect modifiers.

7. Feedback and interaction in sentinel communities for interpretation and strategy development.

8. Completion of analysis, refinement of programme options.

9. Development of the communication strategy that can be consultative process in the same clusters.

10. Communication of results to all communities, development of strategies of action to resolve issues.