Who else uses the methodology used by the Lancet study?
The cluster survey methodology used for the Lancet study is the standard technique for measuring mortality in conflict situations. (We discuss cluster sampling more generally in this FAQ.) A prominent example of the use of cluster sampling to measure mortality and other humanitarian indicators is the Standard Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) program. This project aims to develop a standard methodology to assess humanitarian crises, and uses cluster surveys (see the SMART methodology document ). SMART is funded by the Canadian INternational Development Agency, and the development work coordinated by the United Nations Children’s Fund and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). A key point of the SMART project is that measuring the crude death/mortality rate often is a good indicator of the severity of a humanitrian crises: The SMART methodology is based on Crude Death Rate (CDR) and Nutritional Status of Children Under-Five. These are the m