Quantitative Data Collection Tools Research Articles

The Effect of Peer-Mediated Adaptive Physical Activity Program on Problem Behaviors of Mentally Handicapped Students

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peer-mediated adaptive physical activity program on problem behaviors of mentally handicapped students. Eight mentally handicapped students and eight peer students with normal development participated in this study, which was designed according to a sequential descriptive design. In the research, peer education program was applied to the peer students in line with the skills expected to be exhibited during the practices. In the study, Problem Behavior Sub-Scale (PBS), which is one of the subscales of Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) developed by Gresham and Elliot (1990) and Turkish adaptation by Sucuoglu and Ozokcu (2005) was used as a quantitative data collection tool. As a qualitative data collection tool, semi-structured interview form was used. The Friedman test was used to analyze the quantitative data, and Wilcoxon Signs test was used to determine the source of the difference. Significance value was determined as 0.05. In the analysis of qualitative data, content analysis was applied. The quantitative findings of the study showed that the peer-mediated APA program was effective on the problem behaviors of mentally handicapped students and that the skills acquired as a result of the practice were maintained by the children three weeks after the completion of the practices. In the qualitative findings, the teachers stated that after the peer-mediated APA program, there were positive developments in the ability of mentally handicapped students to experience push-pull, touch discomfort, fear, trust, power control with their peers and to act in accordance with the instructions. The obtained qualitative and quantitative findings showed that peer mediated APA program had positive effects on the problem behaviors of mentally handicapped students.

Investigation of Pre-service teachers' Web 2.0 Rapid Content Development Self-Efficacy Belief Levels and their Views on Web 2.0 Tools

<p style="text-align:justify">The aim of this study was to examine the pre-service teachers’ Web 2.0 rapid content development self-efficacy belief levels and their opinions about Web 2.0 tools. The study was carried out by using “convergent parallel mixed design”. In the academic year of 2019-2020, 254 pre-service teachers voluntarily participated in the quantitative part of the study and 30 pre-service teachers voluntarily participated in the qualitative part. "Web 2.0 Rapid Content Development Self-Efficacy Belief Scale of Pre-Service Teachers" was used as quantitative data collection tool. In order to collect qualitative data, a semi-structured interview form was prepared by the researchers. While the quantitative data obtained from the pre-service teachers were analyzed with the T Test and ANOVA, the qualitative data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. As a result of the study, pre-service teachers’ Web 2.0 rapid content development self-efficacy belief levels do not differ significantly in terms of gender variable. On the other hand, a significant difference was observed in self-efficacy belief level scores among different departments. Also, the pre-service teachers expressed positive opinions regarding the use of WEB 2.0 tools in the educational environment such as class group formation, presentation preparation and virtual classroom applications.</p>

Socio-demographic determinants of access to sanitation facilities and water in the Namibian rural areas of Omaheke and Oshikoto regions

Access to water and sanitation is an important basic need of human beings. However, inadequate access to sanitation facilities and water is a critical challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. The understanding of the socio-demographic factors of rural households to access water and sanitation services across spatio-temporal scales is nascent in developing countries, including Namibia. The present study examines the potential explanatory socio-demographic variables which determine the use of sanitation facilities and access to water in rural communities of Namibia using Omaheke and Oshikoto Regions as case studies. The study was cross-sectional and used quantitative data collection tools. Specifically, the study used structured questionnaires to collect data from 137 households, which were randomly selected in the study regions. Data were entered and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). The association between the socio-economic data and access to sanitation and water wasanalysed using the multinomial logistic regression. Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between the explanatory variables. The results revealed that there is a significant difference (p 0.05) in the study areas. Education significantly influenced the choice of piped tap water in the yards (p 0.05). The study further found that the reliability (water interruptions) of sanitation and water services and the distance to facilities negatively impacted access to sanitation and water services in the study regions. The study concludes by underscoring the implications of different sociodemographic variables on accessing and accepting various water and sanitation facilities. This analysis enables effective decision making to reconcile the efforts of sustainable development, sanitation and water resource management in Namibia and other countries with a similar set of socio-economic and demographic conditions. Key words: access, sanitation, water, facility, community, management, Oshikoto, Omaheke

Empowering Muslim Rohingya Youth Refugees: A Baseline Study of Literacy

In adult refugees’ context, functional literacy is the biggest barrier for the refugees to socially navigate in the host community. Functional literacy is ‘the level of skill in listening, speaking, reading and writing that any individual needs in order to cope with adult life.’ Without functional literacy abilities in the language/s of the host country and uncertainties in the journey to resettlement, the refugees tend to become very vulnerable and traumatized. Thus, social navigation for survival becomes an issue not only because they have language barriers but also internal conflicts on the terrains of the imagined (the hopes) and the unexpected (the difficulties) they encounter in the host country. Employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, this study explored the current English language literacy ability of the Rohingya youth refugees and related challenges. Findings revealed that despite the keen interests the participants have in acquiring English language proficiency, the different alphabetical systems pose problems for them. Despite the challenges in language, the participants exhibited strong sense of brotherhood with other fellow refugees and willingness to extend assistance. Religion developed the powerful bond. Based on the empirical data gathered, a Functional Literacy Course was developed to address language issues embedded with Leadership as well as Islamic Psycho-spiritual elements.

Stabilizing Between Work And Family: Professional Mothers’ Struggle To Achieve Success

Paid work and family life adjustment has attracted attention of researchers for quite a long time. The gender division of labour has been changed in many societies due to social, political and economic factors. The aim of this study was to explore the level of satisfaction and strategy patterns of professional mothers in socialization of their children. The study has used quantitative and qualitative data collection tools. Sixty professional mothers were interviewed from various professions using purposive sampling method. 78% of respondents said that they are satisfied with their children’s education and personality development. It is recommended that government should provide day-care facilities at workplace for women workers so that they can focus on their work effectively.

Investigation of relationship between attitude to physical education course and school belonging

Aim : The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between students' attitudes towards physical education course and belonging to school. Material and Methods: Research group comprised of 589 (51.5%) males and 555 (48.5%) female students in secondary schools of Malatya province. 250 (21.9%) of the students were 5th grade, 219 (19.1%) were 6th grade, 387 (33.8%) were 7th grade and 288 (25%) 2) 8th grade students. School Belonging Scale and Attitude scale to Physical Education course were used as a quantitative data collection tool. Pearson correlation test, simple and multiple regression analyses were used to statistical analysis. Significance level was accepted as p<.05. Results: It was found that there were significant positive correlations in the all sub-domains of attitude and school belonging dimensions to physical education course (p < .05). Regression analyses revealed that the attitudes of students to physical education course predicted school belonging by 11% and students' attitudes towards physical education course predicted school belonging by 10% (p < . 05). Conclusion: As a result, students' attitudes towards physical education course increase, their belonging to school increases. In order to increase students' attitudes towards physical education course, it is possible to plan the content and structure of the course in a more fun way.

Investigation of relationship between attitude to physical education course and school belonging

Aim : The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between students' attitudes towards physical education course and belonging to school. Material and Methods: Research group comprised of 589 (51.5%) males and 555 (48.5%) female students in secondary schools of Malatya province. 250 (21.9%) of the students were 5th grade, 219 (19.1%) were 6th grade, 387 (33.8%) were 7th grade and 288 (25%) 2) 8th grade students. School Belonging Scale and Attitude scale to Physical Education course were used as a quantitative data collection tool. Pearson correlation test, simple and multiple regression analyses were used to statistical analysis. Significance level was accepted as p<.05. Results: It was found that there were significant positive correlations in the all sub-domains of attitude and school belonging dimensions to physical education course (p < .05). Regression analyses revealed that the attitudes of students to physical education course predicted school belonging by 11% and students' attitudes towards physical education course predicted school belonging by 10% (p < . 05). Conclusion: As a result, students' attitudes towards physical education course increase, their belonging to school increases. In order to increase students' attitudes towards physical education course, it is possible to plan the content and structure of the course in a more fun way.

Investigating the Effects of Web-Based Science Material for Guided Inquiry Approach on Information and Communication Skills of Students

In parallel with the development of technology and increase in knowledge, learning-teaching environments have changed, and an understanding has taken into basis that students are active and responsible for their own learning. In accordance with this situation, inquiry-based learning approach and technology integration have come to an important point in science curricula in our country. In the study, it was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of web-based science material developed on the guided inquiry approach on students' information and communication skills. In the current study, embedded design was selected amongst mixed methods. First, web-based material was developed compatible with the guided inquiry approach for the systems in our body unit at sixth grade. Then, the developed material was applied during eight weeks by three teachers in three different classes and its effectiveness was examined. A total of 155 sixth grade students, 71 of whom were in the experimental group and 84 in the control group, participated in the study. In the study; “Information and Communication Skills Perception Scale” was used as a quantitative data collection tool and an observation form was used as the qualitative data collection tool. As a result of the study; although there was an increase in the information and communication skills perception scores of the students in the experimental group in which the web-based science material was applied according to the guided inquiry approach, it was understood that this difference was not significant [t(70)=-3.76, p>.05]. Even though there is an increase in information and communication skills, it is thought that this increase is not significant in terms of the students' perceptions of information and communication skills as these students were born into the technology age, developed high perception towards information and communication skills through their own tablets, computers, phones and other similar medium.

Evaluate Technical Standards of Implemented Soil Bund in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: The Case of Adama, Lume and Dodota Districts

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion is a serious problem in Ethiopia. To combat this, the government undertaken SWC measures across the country since 1970’s. This study therefore, investigated technical standard of implemented soil bund practice in CRV of Ethiopia. A mixed methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection tools; HH survey, KI interviews, FGD, observation and desk literature review. HHs were randomly chosen from the sampling frame exist at PA level and a total of 150HHs were selected for this study. Further, soil bund structures were measured and evaluated. The data analysis was carried out by using descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results of the study showed that soil bund parameters implemented under the standard are bund spacing, width and height of embankment. While bund top width, bottom width, berm width and top width of embankment were better. Soil and stone bunds are mostly preferred, whereas check dam is the least preferred technology to implement in the study area. Major challenges farmers faced during SWC practices implementation, shortage of labor, lack of technical skills, fear for animal trampling, lack of awareness and lack of sufficient farm tools. Hence, the study has concluded that every year SWC practices implemented by community mobilization are not standardized and consequently it is difficult to manage the watershed in different areas. Therefore, the study suggests that well organized training should be given for experts at different levels to fill the technical gap on their skills and extension services like demonstration should be held for all stakeholders before implementing the SWC structures.

The Effectiveness of Using Virtual Experiments on Students’ Learning in the General Physics Lab

Aim/Purpose: The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of using virtual experiments on students’ level of achievement and on their practical skills as well as their views on applying the virtual experiments in a general physics lab. Background: There is a continuous debate in the literature on the effect of using virtual experiments/ lab on students’ physics learning and whether those virtual experiments can substitute and/or enhance students’ performance in the real lab. Also, there is a need to design effective learning environments which are more suitable to students’ characteristics in the digital age and can help them to acquire science inquiry and practical skills. Methodology: Mixed research methodology is adopted including quasi-experimental design, achievement test, participatory observation, and semi-structured interviews. Two groups of students were selected: an experimental group (45 students) and control group (45 students). Contribution: The study results contribute to the ongoing discussion on the role of virtual lab in learning and teaching general physics lab and provide a model of combining virtual and real lab as well as an alternative solution under the times of COVID 19. Findings: The results of the study showed that substituting face-to-face theoretical preparation in the general physics lab is at least equally effective as using virtual experiments. Students with virtual components acquired deeper understanding of physics concepts and were better prepared for carrying out real experiments. Attending online videos spared students’ time and provided them with a more flexible and rich learning environment. Recommendations for Practitioners: Faculty members are encouraged to use virtual experiments instead of face-to-face lab preparation. It is important to include more interactive multimedia and short online videos in the design of the virtual experiments. Recommendation for Researchers: The development of virtual experiments can be extended to other experiments and topics in science. Researchers are encouraged to combine both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools to allow deeper exploration of students learning in the virtual environments. Impact on Society: Virtual labs have the potential to save time and cost for both students and university as they reduce presence hours at the university in the real lab. Virtual experiments provide flexible learning opportunities that can overcome time, pace, and place barriers for learners from the community. They also provide a solution for physical distancing needed due to the emergency conditions imposed by the pandemic. Future Research: Further investigations are needed to include the development of the whole introductory physics lab into virtual course and to explore the digital (virtual) transformation of other topics in physics and science as well.

ICT Integration Practices of STEM Teachers in TVET

STEM Education is important for a country to be advanced in economy and technology. It is achieved through skilled and multi-talented workforce produced by Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which is a component of STEM Education. Technology becomes a mechanism for STEM teachers to engage their students in STEM disciplines. However, STEM teachers have barriers and challenges integrating technology in STEM Education. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to examine STEM teachers’ technology integration practices in the context of ICT. This is a preliminary study that is conducted in MARA TVET – one of the private providers of TVET in Malaysia. Using a quantitative data collection tool, 32 STEM teachers from MARA TVET in Borneo Region participated in the study. The study employed adopted SPMa (Standard Practices MARA Educators) instrument that consists of three dimensions: basic ICT skills, integrating ICT in teaching and learning and communicate skillfully using ICT. The overall result revealed that the level of ICT integration of STEM teachers in MARA TVET is high (M = 2.63, SD = 0.80). Dimension basic ICT skills had the lowest mean (M = 2.41, SD = 1.04) and followed by dimension integrating ICT in teaching and learning (M = 2.69, SD = 0.90). Dimension using ICT to communicate had the highest mean (M = 2.78, SD = 1.04). In conclusion, the level of ICT integration of STEM teachers in MARA TVET of Borneo Region based on adopted SPMa instrument is moderate. Though ICT skills affect ICT integration in teaching and learning, there is also a need to examine other factors that affect the success of ICT integration. STEM teachers’ knowledge is a proposed variable to be investigated in future research.

Investigation of physics teachers’ opinions about the physics curriculum

The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of physics teachers about the physics curriculum that was updated in 2017. The study was carried out by using quantitative and qualitative data collection tools within the context of case study methodology. The research sample was formed from 64 physics teachers from different provinces of Turkey who participated in the training organized for introducing a physics curriculum at the Yalova Esenkoy In-service Training Institute. A questionnaire consisting of 30 questions with four-point Likert-type and interviews including eight questions were conducted. Findings show that physics teachers generally indicate a positive approach to the physics curriculum. However, almost all physics teachers who participated in the research stated that the physics course hours were insufficient to implement the physics curriculum and that some subjects should be removed from the physics curriculum.

Sociological Analysis of the Relationship between Active Citizenship and Religiosity

Gündelik hayat pratiklerinin önemli bir bölümünü yurttaşlık ilişkileri oluşturur. İnsanların yurttaşlık ilişkilerini sürdürürken ortaya koyduğu gündelik hayat pratikleri ile zihniyet yapılarından dolayısıyla da inanç dünyaları ve dindarlık durumlarından bağımsız değildir. Türkiye’de, Cumhuriyet dönemiyle birlikte somutlaşan ve hız kazanan demokratikleşme sürecinde aktif yurttaşlık her zamankinden daha fazla önemli hale gelmiştir. Bu çalışmanın genel amacı yetişkin bireylerin aktif yurttaşlık nitelik ve davranışları ile dindarlık düzeyli arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmaktır. Bu kapsamda, katılımcıların yurttaşlık ilgileri, yurttaşlık katılım düzeyleri, karar verme süreçleri, bilgi kaynakları, yurttaşlıkla ilgili hak ve sorumluluk farkındalıkları, yurttaşlık öz-yeterlilikleri ile etkin yurttaşlık katılımcılığının önündeki sosyo-kültürel engelleri dindarlık durumu değişkeni açısından incelenmiştir. Çalışmada, nicel veri toplama tekniği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada, nicel veri toplama aracı olarak enlemesine tarama deseni kapsamında anket tekniği kullanılmıştır. Anket sorularının araştırma durumunu ve soruların açıklığa kavuşturulmasını sağlayıp sağlamadığını test etmek amacıyla araştırmanın hedef katılımcıları üzerinde bir pilot çalışma yapılmıştır.

Förderung des wissenschaftlichen Schreibens angehender DeutschlehrerInnen in der Türkei am Beispiel des Exzerpierens – Eine Aktionsforschung

The processing of the information read is a big challenge for the students. The abstract text takes an important function to overcome this challenge. This is because the abstract text mediates the transformation of expert knowledge into individual information in the way of reproducing the text. Thus, the summarization is one of the main achievements of German teacher candidates and has impact not only on their success in university, but also on their future working lives. The aim of this study is to develop a model for writing an abstract text for the students in the Department of German Language Teaching and to represent the results in relation with this model. For this purpose, an action research based on written questionnaire and using quantitative data collection tools has been carried out. The sample group of the study consists of 22 2nd grade students in total attending the Department of German Language Teaching at Marmara University. After the model has been applied for a 6-week period, a written questionnaire about the texts used in the model, the teaching method, the activities used in the model, the proceedings obtained through the model and the general results related to the model aiming to write an abstract text has been conducted with the students during evaluation stage. According to the data regarding to the self-assessments of the students, thanks to the model about “teaching how to write a academic text in the sample of abstract text writing”, the students have made progress in “expressing the author’s action”, “specifying the argumentative structure”, “connecting the sentences” and “using appropriate conjunctions”.

Aspirations and ambiguities – the need for focused IAG for school pupils considering progression to higher education (HE)

ABSTRACT The provision of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) for school pupils considering their next move after compulsory schooling is of great importance to them and their families. This study focused on three schools in a region in England that has suffered economic deprivation and low educational attainment. It sought to uncover how factors such as schools, teachers, friends and families, and the provision of IAG, impact on pupils’ ideas about careers and higher study. Several investigations have set out how this provision and subsequent choice of progression to higher education (HE) is mediated through a number of cultural, social, economic and institutional influences. This research followed a mixed-methods approach to data collection, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools that provided elements of positivist and interpretivist paradigms. The results reveal a complex landscape, characterised by a limited understanding of progression to HE and a lack of clarity about options, but nevertheless, there are aspirations towards further study. The research has implications for IAG provision and has potential impact with respect to the need for a more consistent approach.

Self-interpreted narrative capture: A research project to examine life courses of Amerasians in Vietnam and the United States.

When American troops withdrew from Vietnam in April 1975, they left behind a large number of children fathered by American GIs and born to local Vietnamese women. Although there is some documentation of experiences of GI children who immigrated to the United States, little is known about the life courses of Amerasian children who remained in Vietnam, and no comparative data has been collected. To address this knowledge gap, we used an innovative mixed qualitative – quantitative data collection tool, Cognitive Edge’s SenseMaker®, to investigate the life experiences of three specific cohorts of GI-fathered children from the Vietnam War: (1) those who remained in Vietnam, (2) those who immigrated to the United States as babies or very young children and (3) those who immigrated to the United States as adolescents or adults. The current analysis reflects on the implementation of this mixed-methods narrative data collection and self-interpretation tool as a research methodology in Vietnam and the United States and outlines some of the challenges and lessons learned including recruitment of a hard to reach population, low response rates in the United States and feasibility of using such narrative capture to conduct such research in the United States and in Vietnam.

Statistical Estimation of the Awareness of the Working Age Population about Harmful Consumption of Alcohol as a Risk Factor of Cardiovascular Diseases

The article is devoted to the analysis of awareness of the working age population about alcohol abuse as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases according to the results of a sociological study.
 The goal is to identify and characterize the awareness of residents of the Dnipropetrovsk region about the harmful alcohol consumption, personal attitudes and practices of drinking, the possibility of minimizing its harmful effects for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the activity to correct this risk factor.
 The method of personalized formal interviews is used. The survey of a representative sample of the population of working age (N2000) was carried out according to a specially developed methodology of qualitative and quantitative research stages and data collection tools. The study was conducted in 2017 on request of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration with the financial support of the World Bank.
 The gap between the almost complete awareness of the respondents (95.1%) and the harmful effects of alcohol abuse on existing cardiovascular disease or its possible future occurrence and actual practice of use was revealed. The majority of respondents reported that they drank alcohol (57.6%) now or had consumed it before (15%).
 It was shown that men prevailed in the group of those who consumed alcohol almost daily or several times a week (33.3% of those who consumed alcohol, versus 9.5% among women). The most common portion of alcohol among respondents (51.1%), consumed in one take, did not exceed three standard drinks. The main reasons that prompted alcohol consumption were unwillingness to “fall out” from the team (more than 75% of respondents); national traditions (40%); way to relieve stress (25%).
 The expediency of studying changes in the situation regarding the prevalence of harmful use of alcohol, habitual practices of its use, activity to minimize harmful effects from the review of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in particular and adherence to a healthy lifestyle as a whole, after a certain time interval according to a similar methodology has been proved. The results of the survey can be used to assess the effectiveness of measures to improve the health literacy of the population, increase the motivation to change behavior in favor of health, building composite indicators.

Bağlam ve Süreç Temelli Yazma Becerisinin Gelişiminde Söylem Çözümleme Yönteminin Etkisi: Örnek Uygulama

In this mixed methods research, experimental study with pre-test post-test group in which the quantitative and qualitative data collection tools were used to examine the effect of discourse analysis method on writing skills, the writing practices of the students were evaluated in various ways; quantitative data collected through 5-step writing practices and 7-criteria-evaluation form; and qualitative data collected and evaluated through interview forms. According to the criteria in the evaluation form, the student scores were marked based on a Likert scale. The answers structured by the students to the guiding questions in the 5-step writing practices which were conducted at the end of each process of analyzing texts through discourse analysis, were assessed as in the International Student Assessment Program (PISA): Full score (2), partial score (1) and zero score (0). Participants consisted of 7th graders; 21 students in the treatment and 19 students in the control group. Before the groups were determined, information was obtained about the level of writing skills of the students, especially from the teachers of relevant classes, specifically from social studies and Turkish lessons. Additionally, while creating groups, it was also be ensured that two groups with similar achievement levels were selected by looking at the students’ averages of Turkish lesson and the other courses of 6th grade and 1st semester of 7th grade. As a result of the study, it has been found out that the students were able to recognize elements and process related to creating a text such as; how thoughts are placed in the sentences and paragraphs, how the words and sentences located in texts to affect understanding, why all these choices are made etc. by taking advantage of the opportunities of discourse analysis. In addition to these, they also expressed positive opinions on discourse analysis method to be used in Turkish lessons and that the method contributed to the development of skills such as comprehension and writing.

Learning Difficulties of Fourth Graders About The Subject of Fractions in Primary School

This study was carried out to determine the learning difficulties and misconceptions of Grade 4 students on fractions by using the Diagnostic Tree Technique, an alternative assessment and evaluation tool. When studies on the fractions are examined, it has been seen that the data obtained with the Diagnostic Tree Technique are limited. The study group consisted of 8 students in the 4th grade of a primary school in the city center of Batman in 2017-2018 academic year. In order to collect data convergent parallel design, one of the mixed method research designs which both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools utilized were used. The quantitative data were obtained by using the Diagnostic Tree Test and the qualitative data were obtained by semi-structured interview technique. The questions in the diagnostic branched tree test were prepared in accordance with learning outcomes of Ministry of National Education for 4th graders. The reliability of the questions in the test was calculated as 0,79 with the KR20 formula. The frequencies of the answers of the students were calculated by SPSS package program. As a result of the interviews, the results of the students' responses were analyzed and the data obtained from the two data sources were blended in the analyzed findings part. In the light of the obtained data, the misconceptions in the lower learning area of fourth grade students were determined and some suggestions were made to prevent misconceptions. Keywords : Fractions, Misconceptions, Diagnostic Branched Tree, 4th Grade Students DOI : 10.7176/JSTR/5-2-37

Understanding the implementation of Direct Health Facility Financing and its effect on health system performance in Tanzania: a non-controlled before and after mixed method study protocol

BackgroundGlobally, good health system performance has resulted from continuous reform, including adaptation of Decentralisation by Devolution policies, for example, the Direct Health Facility Financing (DHFF). Generally, the role of decentralisation in the health sector is to improve efficiency, to foster innovations and to improve quality, patient experience and accountability. However, such improvements have not been well realised in most low- and middle-income countries, with the main reason cited being the poor mechanism for disbursement of funds, which remain largely centralised. The introduction of the DHFF programme in Tanzania is expected to help improve the quality of health service delivery and increase service utilisation resulting in improved health system performance. This paper describes the protocol, which aims to evaluate the effects of DHFF on health system performance in Tanzania.MethodsAn evaluation of the effect of the DHFF programme will be carried out as part of a nationwide programme rollout. A before and after non-controlled concurrent mixed methods design study will be employed to examine the effect of the DHFF programme implementation on the structural quality of maternal health, health facility governing committee governance and accountability, and health system responsiveness as perceived by the patients’ experiences. Data will be collected from a nationally representative sample involving 42 health facilities, 422 patient consultations, 54 health workers, and 42 health facility governing committees in seven regions from the seven zones of the Tanzanian mainland. The study is grounded in a conceptual framework centered on the Theory of Change and the Implementation Fidelity Framework. The study will utilise a mixture of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools (questionnaires, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and documentary review). The study will collect information related to knowledge, acceptability and practice of the programme, fidelity of implementation, structural qualities of maternal and child health services, accountability, governance, and patient perception of health system responsiveness.DiscussionThis evaluation study will generate evidence on both the process and impact of the DHFF programme implementation, and help to inform policy improvement. The study is expected to inform policy on the implementation of DHFF within decentralised health system government machinery, with particular regard to health system strengthening through quality healthcare delivery. Health system responsiveness assessment, accountability and governance of Health Facility Government Committee should bring autonomy to lower levels and improve patient experiences. A major strength of the proposed study is the use of a mixed methods approach to obtain a more in-depth understanding of factors that may influence the implementation of the DHFF programme. This evaluation has the potential to generate robust data for evidence-based policy decisions in a low-income setting.