Feeder Roads 2009
Ghana, 2009
NORC at the University of Chicago, Pentax Management Consultancy Services
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Identification
Survey ID Number
GHA_2009_MCC-FR_v01_M
Title
Feeder Roads 2009
Country/Economy
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Ghana | GHA |
Study type
Independent Evaluation
Series Information
These surveys were conducted as part of an impact evaluation, with the intention of conducting follow-up surveys in the future to measure changes in prices of goods and transportation of goods and passengers due to improvements in road quality. NORC's contract with MiDA completed this baseline data collection; the follow-up has yet to be awarded.
Abstract
The Ghana Millennium Development Authority's (MiDA) Agriculture Project within the Government of Ghana's Compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation is design to improve farming in a number of areas. Under the Agricultural Project being implemented by (MiDA) some feeder roads are to be rehabilitated or reconstructed to promote development in the sector. In the first phase, about 336 km of feeder roads in eight (8) districts in two intervention zones are to be rehabilitated to reduce transportation costs and time, and increase access to major domestic and international markets. The feeder roads activity will also facilitate transportation linkages from rural areas to social service networks (including hospitals, clinics and schools).
The purpose of this project is to conduct an impact evaluation of the MiDA's Feeder Roads Activity. As stated in the Terms of Reference of the request for proposals, "the primary data for the impact evaluation will be a series of surveys similar in scope to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) survey, examining changes in prices over time Findings from the market surveys will contribute to the overall impact evaluation conducted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). The Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 5+ is the primary instrument used in the overall evaluation, and 'Difference in Difference' is the proposed method of evaluation of data."
Thus, this study focuses on how prices of goods sold at local markets (that are transported on improved roads) change over time. It is also to document the changes in goods transport tariffs and passenger fares to market places served by the feeder roads.
The sample design uses a carefully tailored algorithm employed to match 154 localities that will benefit from the road improvements with an identical number of control localities that are comparatively far from the improvements. The sample size is sufficient to provide robust estimates of price effects associated with the road improvements. The minimum population for a locality to be included in the sample is 1,000, a condition imposed to help ensure that most designated items could be found in most localities.
Beginning in August 2009 interviewers visited the sample localities to obtain three price observations for each item in the defined "basket" of goods and transportation services. The final "basket" contains 39 fresh food items, 24 packaged food items, 19 non food items and 6 transportation tariffs-3 for the locality's residents' most frequent passenger destinations and 3 for the most frequent freight destinations.
The purpose of this project is to conduct an impact evaluation of the MiDA's Feeder Roads Activity. As stated in the Terms of Reference of the request for proposals, "the primary data for the impact evaluation will be a series of surveys similar in scope to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) survey, examining changes in prices over time Findings from the market surveys will contribute to the overall impact evaluation conducted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). The Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 5+ is the primary instrument used in the overall evaluation, and 'Difference in Difference' is the proposed method of evaluation of data."
Thus, this study focuses on how prices of goods sold at local markets (that are transported on improved roads) change over time. It is also to document the changes in goods transport tariffs and passenger fares to market places served by the feeder roads.
The sample design uses a carefully tailored algorithm employed to match 154 localities that will benefit from the road improvements with an identical number of control localities that are comparatively far from the improvements. The sample size is sufficient to provide robust estimates of price effects associated with the road improvements. The minimum population for a locality to be included in the sample is 1,000, a condition imposed to help ensure that most designated items could be found in most localities.
Beginning in August 2009 interviewers visited the sample localities to obtain three price observations for each item in the defined "basket" of goods and transportation services. The final "basket" contains 39 fresh food items, 24 packaged food items, 19 non food items and 6 transportation tariffs-3 for the locality's residents' most frequent passenger destinations and 3 for the most frequent freight destinations.
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
The main unit of analysis is a market. Within each market, we priced the following items at up to three different vendors: 39 fresh food items, 24 packaged food items, 19 non food items and 6 transportation tariffs-3 for the locality's residents' most frequent passenger destinations and 3 for the most frequent freight destinations.
Version
Version Description
Version 1.0 (February 2012). This is the final, cleaned version of the data used for analysis.
Version Date
2012-02-21
Scope
Notes
The scope of the survey includes:
-Market/vendor information
-Prices of different type of goods
--39 fresh food items
--24 packaged food items
--19 non food items
--6 transportation tariffs-3 for the locality's residents' most frequent passenger destinations and 3 for the most frequent freight destinations
-Market/vendor information
-Prices of different type of goods
--39 fresh food items
--24 packaged food items
--19 non food items
--6 transportation tariffs-3 for the locality's residents' most frequent passenger destinations and 3 for the most frequent freight destinations
Topics
| Topic |
|---|
| Market prices |
| Food prices |
| Tariff prices |
Keywords
| Keyword |
|---|
| Ghana |
| Prices |
| Food |
| Transportation tariffs |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
308 localities in Ghana - 154 localities that will benefit from the road improvements with an identical number of control localities that are comparatively far from the improvements.
Universe
The data is only meant to represent the 308 localities surveyed. The results cannot be generalized to a larger population. The objective was not to produce estimates of national means and totals, but to estimate the parameters of an analytical model of program impact.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name |
|---|
| NORC at the University of Chicago |
| Pentax Management Consultancy Services |
Producers
| Name |
|---|
| Millenium Development Authority |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Millenium Development Authority | MiDA | Provided funding for the project |
Other Identifications/Acknowledgments
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Millenium Challenge Corporation | The MCC provided funding to MiDA, which was used in part to finance this study. |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
In the present application, the approach that is being used, in lieu of randomization, to select a control sample is statistical matching. A matched-pairs design was used, matching 174 (154 plus 20 replacements) treatment localities to 174 control localities using nearest-neighbor matching. Sampling was restricted, as mentioned earlier, to localities having population 1,000 or more (according to the 2000 Census) and to the 20 largest localities in each district.
The treatment population included all localities within 120 minutes estimated travel time of the nearest MiDA program road, and the control population included all localities located more than 120 minutes estimated travel time from the nearest MiDA program road. (The estimated travel times were calculated using a GIS model of the Ghana road network (documented separately).) This resulted in resulted in population sizes of 675 treatment units and 848 control units. Sampling was restricted to all of the country except Western Region.
Matching was based on a number of variables, including population, travel time to Accra, travel time to the nearest MiDA feeder road, and physiographic data.
The sample localities occur at all distances from the program roads, since it was desired to have substantial variation in the travel time to the program roads.
Because of the sample design process, the sample has reasonable spread, balance and orthogonality for a large number of design variables. Also, the sample includes a control sample for which the units are individually matched to units in the treatment sample. The sample will be a very good one for use in estimating an analytical model showing the relationship of program impact (price changes) to the Ghana MiDA feeder-road improvements, and for estimating a double-difference estimate of program impact.
The treatment population included all localities within 120 minutes estimated travel time of the nearest MiDA program road, and the control population included all localities located more than 120 minutes estimated travel time from the nearest MiDA program road. (The estimated travel times were calculated using a GIS model of the Ghana road network (documented separately).) This resulted in resulted in population sizes of 675 treatment units and 848 control units. Sampling was restricted to all of the country except Western Region.
Matching was based on a number of variables, including population, travel time to Accra, travel time to the nearest MiDA feeder road, and physiographic data.
The sample localities occur at all distances from the program roads, since it was desired to have substantial variation in the travel time to the program roads.
Because of the sample design process, the sample has reasonable spread, balance and orthogonality for a large number of design variables. Also, the sample includes a control sample for which the units are individually matched to units in the treatment sample. The sample will be a very good one for use in estimating an analytical model showing the relationship of program impact (price changes) to the Ghana MiDA feeder-road improvements, and for estimating a double-difference estimate of program impact.
Deviations from the Sample Design
Of the 308 sampled localities only one locality was removed from the sample because we were unable to locate it. This locality, Choo #0155, was not located and was removed along with its matching pair, Sabiye #0159. These localities were replaced with Suame #0812 and Ogbodzo #1264. All other localities were located and surveyed.
Weighting
No weighting is used in the dataset.
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2009-08-12 | 2009-09-07 |
Data Collection Mode
Face-to-face [f2f]
Supervision
There were 4 field teams composed of 16 interviewers, 4 associate field supervisors, and 4 field supervisors for a total of 24 field staff. Supervisors were responsible for management and oversight, and for data editing before marking a survey as complete.
During the first week of data collection, the NORC FM, Pentax FM, and MiDA supervisor visited each field team. Issues identified during the fieldwork phase can be found in section 3 of the “Phase 1, Baseline Findings Report” (attached). Following the first week, the Pentax FM was in continuous contact with the field teams as well as the NORC FM. All identified issues were handled appropriately to ensure high quality and a successful conclusion to the data collection period.
During the first week of data collection, the NORC FM, Pentax FM, and MiDA supervisor visited each field team. Issues identified during the fieldwork phase can be found in section 3 of the “Phase 1, Baseline Findings Report” (attached). Following the first week, the Pentax FM was in continuous contact with the field teams as well as the NORC FM. All identified issues were handled appropriately to ensure high quality and a successful conclusion to the data collection period.
Data Collection Notes
Pentax, with the oversight of NORC, was responsible for advertising, interviewing, and hiring of all interviewing and data entry team members. To the maximum extent possible, Pentax drew on its roster of field interviewers and supervisors with whom it has previously worked in order to ensure the highest level of field staff quality. Training was conducted from August 3 - August 7, 2009 at Ange Hill Hotel in Accra. The NORC FM and Pentax FM led the training sessions which were attended by 25 interviewers. Of these interviewers, 24 completed the training satisfactorily with 1 interviewer not invited to participate in the full data collection. MiDA staff attended each day of training and supported the NORC/Pentax staff when needed. In addition to classroom exercises, the interviewers conducted a short pre-test of the survey protocols in Winneba and Swedru. Additional ad-hoc training was conducted on August 10 and August 11, 2009.
There were 4 field teams composed of 16 interviewers, 4 associate field supervisors, and 4 field supervisors for a total of 24 field staff. Supervisors were responsible for data editing before marking a survey as complete.
Field work was carried out from August 12, 2009 through September 7, 2009 in nine Ghanaian regions: Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Volta, Central, Eastern, and Greater Accra. Our sample was distributed across regions with an equal amount of treatment and control groups composing a total of 308 localities. During the first week of data collection, the NORC FM, Pentax FM, and MiDA supervisor visited each field team. Issues identified during the fieldwork phase can be found in section 3 of the “Phase 1, Baseline Findings Report” (attached), as can a detailed description of field procedures.
There were 4 field teams composed of 16 interviewers, 4 associate field supervisors, and 4 field supervisors for a total of 24 field staff. Supervisors were responsible for data editing before marking a survey as complete.
Field work was carried out from August 12, 2009 through September 7, 2009 in nine Ghanaian regions: Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Volta, Central, Eastern, and Greater Accra. Our sample was distributed across regions with an equal amount of treatment and control groups composing a total of 308 localities. During the first week of data collection, the NORC FM, Pentax FM, and MiDA supervisor visited each field team. Issues identified during the fieldwork phase can be found in section 3 of the “Phase 1, Baseline Findings Report” (attached), as can a detailed description of field procedures.
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Pentax Management and Consulting | Pentax |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
During the initial visit the NORC FM identified a subset of items on the GLSS surveys to identify and price in the market. This initial pricing and observation allowed for a detailed understanding of the impediments interviewers may encounter during data collection. After observing local conditions the NORC FM met with his counterparts on the local subcontractor team (Pentax Management and Consulting) to carry out an item by item review of the GLSS survey. Through this review NORC and Pentax were able to refine the GLSS survey to meet the needs of the current study. Standard weights and product types were identified for the majority of products, non important items were deleted in order to reduce the time of the survey, and possible fielding issues were discussed with resolutions identified.
The three questionnaires are attached to this document - one for the pricing of goods, one for the pricing of tariff and passenger costs, and one for collecting information on the locality.
The three questionnaires are attached to this document - one for the pricing of goods, one for the pricing of tariff and passenger costs, and one for collecting information on the locality.
Data Processing
Data Editing
Data editing was done in the field by supervisors, and double data entry was carried out by Pentax. After receiving data from Pentax, NORC assisted with reconciliation between the first and second entries. After reconciling the data, NORC carried out significant data cleaning, including some imputation of values for missing observations. For a detailed explanation of data editing and cleaning, please refer to the attached “Phase 1, Baseline Findings” report. For the raw dataset receioved by NORC from Pentax, see the attached "Raw Data". For SPSS scripts detailing cleaning done on the dataset, see "SPSS Scripts".
Access policy
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Abandoh-Sam | Millenium Development Authority | Aabandoh-sam@mida.gov.gh |
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Abandoh-Sam | Millenium Development Authority | Aabandoh-sam@mida.gov.gh |
Citation requirements
Raymond Struyk, Joseph Caldwell, John Felkner, Kareem Kysia, and Shova KC, "Impact Evaluation of Feeder Roads." (National Opinion Research Center, 2010).
Location of Data Collection
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Archive where study is originally stored
Millennium Challenge Corporation
http://data.mcc.gov/evaluations/index.php/catalog/54
Cost: None
http://data.mcc.gov/evaluations/index.php/catalog/54
Cost: None
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI_GHA_2009_MCC-FR_v01_M
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Haddaway | NORC at the University of Chicago | Documentation of the study |
Date of Metadata Production
2012-02-21
DDI Document version
Version 1.0 (February 2012). This is the first version of the document.
Version 2.0 (April 2015). Edited version based on Version 01 (DDI-GHA-NORC-GMS-2009-v1.1) that was done by Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Version 2.0 (April 2015). Edited version based on Version 01 (DDI-GHA-NORC-GMS-2009-v1.1) that was done by Millennium Challenge Corporation.