Name of Client: The University of Sydney in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and J-PAL

Description of Project: In 2023–2024, ECONS successfully implemented a large-scale Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in Gazipur district under a research initiative led by the University of Sydney in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, J-PAL, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The study focused on maternal beliefs, mental health, economic resources, child development, and early-life human capital accumulation among vulnerable households.

The assignment involved complex household surveys, anthropometric measurements, mental health assessments, PMT and household vulnerability modules, economic inclusion indicators, and longitudinal respondent tracking systems. The study also incorporated modules related to social safety net program participation, gender and women’s empowerment, labor market participation, household  decision-making, and socio-economic resilience. ECONS managed the full field implementation using SurveyCTO-based CAPI systems supported by high-frequency checks (HFCs), GPS verification, spot-checks, back-checks, and real-time monitoring mechanisms to ensure high-quality and reliable data collection.
 
The successful implementation of this assignment demonstrated ECONS’s strong expertise in managing large-scale social and behavioral research, sensitive household-level data collection, longitudinal  tracking, and advanced survey quality assurance systems in collaboration with leading international research institutions.

Key highlights of the study include:
 Supported the design and operationalization of the Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) implementation framework and polling station selection procedures in  consultation with the client.
 Successfully completed a census/listing operation covering 55,250 households in Gazipur district
 Conducted baseline, midline, and endline household surveys involving approximately 3,500 women
 Implemented complex household, maternal mental health, PMT, social safety net program, and child development modules using SurveyCTO-based CAPI systems
 Integrated rigorous quality assurance systems including HFCs, spot-checks, back-checks, GPS tracking, and real-time monitoring dashboards
 Demonstrated strong operational capacity in conducting longitudinal surveys and respondent tracking for vulnerable populations and women-focused research
 Counseling and Emotional Support to Provide individual psychosocial counseling to pregnant women and mothers.
 Counseling and Emotional Support to Help participants cope with emotional distress, parenting stress, and maternal role transitions.
 Counseling and Emotional Support to Offer supportive listening and problem-solving strategies.

Survey Details:
Location within country: Kapasia, Gazipur District

Survey Sample Baseline: 55,250 Listing 
                                              3,500 Household 

Survey Sample Midline: 3,500 Household 

Survey Sample Endline: 3,500 Household 

Number of Field Staff Engaged:
10 Supervisor
50 Enumerator
10 Back Checker
10 Psychosocial Counselor

Result and policy lessons:
Results are private to the client.