CHAPTER 3 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 2. Improving Data Collection and Use for the Best Interests of the Child 2.1 Tailor-made Methodologies The collection of data through the questionnaire revealed a variety of approaches in documenting situations of deprivation of liberty. For instance, while in some areas a common measure is daily statistics (e.g. it prevents from multiple recording of the same person whenever he/she commits an offense), in others it may be misleading (e.g. daily figures do not capture the transient trends existing in the contexts of migration or armed conflict). Thus, our estimates should always be interpreted in their unique contexts. Likewise, the reporting guidelines developed on the international fora as well as national methodologies should be tailor-made for the particular areas. The adoption of an inadequate methodology may result in a measurement error leading to erroneous conclusions and wrongfully designed policies. Capturing the variety of relevant factors and reflecting the complexity of various situations of deprivation of liberty requires the involvement of professionals from diverse backgrounds, including at least statisticians, child psychologists and experts in the relevant fields (e.g. migration officers in the context of migration). Moreover, the engagement of IT experts is essential for achieving data interoperability8 and facilitating access to administrative datasets. At the same time, data collection methodologies should ensure child participation, in particular from most marginalised groups and children of different ages, abilities and gender.9 The CRC-Committee emphasised that children’s views should be elicited in the development of policies, decision-making as well as design, assessment, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.10 Last but not least, when designing data collection processes, States should include a feedback mechanism by which data subjects and data collectors might report existing shortcomings and suggest improvements (e.g. small-scale pilot studies). 8 Interoperability is the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information (definition according to the Oxford Dictionary). Achieving interoperability require using the same technical standards, definitions, disaggregation of data by same features etc. 9 Save the Children, Children's participation in the analysis, planning and design of programmes: A guide for Save the Children staff, 2013. 10 CRC-Committee, General comment No. 12 (2009): The right of the child to be heard, CRC/C/GC/12, 20 July 2009, paras. 13, 88 & 126. 44