Research & Policy

Led by: MECDM Research Unit

MECDM's research and policy work is grounded in rigorous evidence, participatory approaches, and a commitment to improving early childhood development outcomes for over 700,000 children across Meghalaya's 12 districts.

Impact Evaluation

MECDM is conducting a rigorous 5-year impact evaluation using a stepped-wedge design. The baseline assessment was completed in October 2025, covering 3,540 children and 4,050 mothers across 590 Anganwadi Centres in 12 districts of Meghalaya.

The study employs a mixed-method approach combining quantitative assessments of 4,050 children across three age cohorts (3–17 months, 18–35 months, and 36–72 months) with qualitative interviews of 45 stakeholders including Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, parents, and state administrators. The evaluation follows an IRB-approved protocol with three rounds of data collection at baseline, midline, and endline.

Baseline Assessment Scope

3,540

Children Assessed

Across 3 age cohorts

590

AWCs Covered

In 12 districts, 45 blocks

4,050

Mothers Interviewed

Across Khasi, Jaintia & Garo regions

Core Research Questions

How do MECDM interventions impact child development outcomes across motor, cognitive, language, and socio-emotional domains?
What changes occur in parenting knowledge, attitudes, and practices as a result of the programme?
How does the programme influence maternal mental health, employment, and agency?
What is the implementation efficiency and fidelity of the multi-sector convergence model?
What factors drive scalability and sustainability of ECD interventions in tribal communities?

Study Timeline

Completed

Baseline (Q3 2025)

Data collection completed across 590 AWCs — preliminary analysis released October 2025

Upcoming

Midline Round 2 (Q2–Q3 2026)

Cross-sectional survey + implementation science research + process evaluation

Planned

Midline Round 3 (Q2–Q3 2027)

Second stepped-wedge round with expanded coverage

Planned

Endline Round 4 (Q3 2028 – Q2 2029)

Final assessment with comprehensive impact evaluation

Assessment & Monitoring Tools

MECDM employs 11 internationally validated research instruments covering child development, nutrition, caregiving practices, and maternal wellbeing. These tools are age-stratified across three cohorts: 0–1.5 years, 1.5–3 years, and 3–6 years.

Data collection is powered by MQUAD, an in-house digital application with built-in auto-checks and skip patterns, ensuring high-quality data across all 12 districts. A three-tier quality assurance process includes field supervisors, state coordinators, and core team reviews.

CREDI — Caregiver Reported Early Development Instrument

3–35 months

Internationally validated population-level tool measuring early childhood development across motor, cognitive, language, and socio-emotional domains. Administered through structured caregiver interviews with 100+ milestone items.

IDELA — International Development and Early Learning Assessment

36–72 months

Direct assessment tool measuring school readiness including early literacy, numeracy, motor development, and socio-emotional skills for children aged 3–6 years.

HOME-SF — Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment

0–6 years

Assesses the quality of a child's home environment including parental responsiveness, learning materials, and physical environment factors that influence development.

KAP Survey — Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

Age-stratified: 0–1.5y, 1.5–3y, 3–6y

Three age-stratified questionnaires measuring caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, and child-rearing practices related to early childhood development.

PHQ-4 — Patient Health Questionnaire

Mothers/Caregivers

Ultra-brief validated 4-item screening tool for anxiety and depression in mothers and caregivers, measuring maternal mental health and wellbeing.

IYCF Indicators — Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices

0–2 years

WHO-recommended indicators measuring breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding, and dietary diversity for infants and young children.

FANTA Dietary Diversity Score

3–6 years

Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance tool measuring dietary diversity and food group consumption patterns for children aged 3–6 years.

Quantitative Measurement Domains

Child Development — CREDI (0–3y) & IDELA (3–6y)

Child Growth & Wellbeing — Anthropometry (height, weight, MUAC)

Feeding & Nutrition Diversity — WHO IYCF & FANTA

Maternal Mental Health — PHQ-4 anxiety & depression screening

Maternal Employment — Economic and employment questions

Quality of Parenting — KAP surveys across 3 age groups

Service Utilization — Immunisation, HBYC uptake

Centre-Based Childcare Quality — ECER-S at AWCs

Publications & Reports

MECDM produces a wide range of publications including operational guidelines for Anganwadi Centres, community-based programmes, and home-based services; training handbooks such as BaLA (Babyhood, Learning & Activation) and CLL (Community Learning Linkage); strategic mission documents; and field implementation reports from initiatives like the SNP Decentralisation Pilot and Reimagining New AWC programme.

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Policy Documents

MECDM's policy work focuses on developing evidence-based frameworks that shape early childhood development systems at the state and district levels.

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Briefs & Factsheets

MECDM produces state and district-level nutrition factsheets using NFHS-5 data with detailed disaggregation across Meghalaya's districts.

Browse all briefs and factsheets on Resources

Partners & Collaborators

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