RMTeam respects the rights, interests, and dignity of participants in conducting research, regardless of ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, ability, age, orientation, language, or political affiliation. We obtain informed consent from participants, without coercion, prior to engaging in research. Parental or guardian consent must be obtained for participating minors.
Our researchers have an obligation to protect participants from any harm which might occur as a consequence of the research, physical, psychological, or otherwise. Ensuring and preserving anonymity is paramount.
All staff are trained in conflict-sensitive methods and understand the possible implications should they not adhere to data collection principles. Internal policies empower field researchers and staff to put their own security ahead of work deliverables. Our Do No Harm approach is based on local understanding of research participants’ specific legal, political, and cultural situations, as well as the everyday challenges they face.
Working in the Middle East and North Africa presents unique challenges and risks as security contexts are typically fluid. RMTeam is well positioned to manage these with vast experience in collecting responsive, extensive, and conflict-sensitive information. We monitor security conditions on a daily basis. We have developed rigorous Health, Safety, and Security policies and procedures that minimise the incremental risk that such work poses to staff in the field.
RMTeam’s field researchers use mobile devices, superior to manual recording, for data input. They are trained and experienced in flexible methods of data collection that do not sacrifice data integrity in various security contexts.
RMTeam recruits well-known community members who possess a trustworthy reputation and technical experience. Our network of field researches have been recruited on the basis of familiarity with local languages and dialects.
We strive to collect data that accurately reflects communities’ true needs and opinions on the basis of proper sampling and our statistically rigorous best practices.
RMTeam employs a multi-phase approach to training potential field researchers. We build capacity through an extensive curriculum, focused on key data collection skills, techniques, and tools. Newly recruited researches attend training sessions together and are subsequently tested on retention and performance.
Quality assurance begins with a full understanding of client needs. To serve those needs, we select the right team with the strongest combination of skills, experience, access, and expertise. We employ quality assurance procedures, before, during, and after collection to ensure the highest data quality.
RMTeam’s gender policy is rooted in protection for women and children. We lead by example in the communities in which we work with female and male researchers presenting themselves side by side. Moreover, RMTeam requires all researchers to undertake gender sensitivity training.
Team members only receive tasks to which they are assigned to contribute.
BlueData encrypts all data – including photos and audio files – on the device and during data transmission.
Easily capture image and audio data. Snap a picture, record a voice response, add context, and submit, all with one click.
Receive instant status updates on all project activities from the updates feed. BlueData’s notifications system alerts team members to important events.
Unauthorised people using a device cannot see the BlueData icon. Data can be wiped remotely should a device be lost or stolen and is deleted automatically once it has been transferred to a secure server.
BlueData Software allows you to curate and present data in any language.
Administrators can monitor the progress of all tasks across a visualisation updating in real time.
Receive instant status updates on all project activities from the updates feed. BlueData’s notifications system alerts team members to important events.
Simply drag and drop to add, remove, and reorder survey form components.
An administrator controls which devices are linked to your account and what each team member can access and manage. BlueData Software cannot be installed on a new device without admin approval.