Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) data analysis
FIES data analysis
The FIES is a statistical scale similar to other widely-accepted scales designed to measure unobservable traits such as aptitude/intelligence, personality, and a broad range of social psychology and health-related conditions. Responses to the questions must always be analyzed together as a scale, not as separate items. Comparability of results across countries is achieved through the use of statistical techniques borrowed from the toolkit of Item Response Theory (IRT) models, commonly used in the educational and psychological testing fields.
The materials below have been developed by FAO to facilitate the analysis of FIES data and reporting of results:
RM.weights: Software for FIES data analysis
As the official statistical software of the FAO Voices of the Hungry (VoH) project, R is used for the implementation of methods to estimate food insecurity prevalence. This zip folder contains the R software package and explanatory documents to carry out statistical validation of the data and to calculate the prevalence of food insecurity.
FIES app
This online tool provides an alternative approach to analysis of FIES data for users unfamiliar with the R software.
Using the FIES app: a simple tool for the analysis of FIES data
Excel template
This Excel template is provided to facilitate the equating process to produce comparable estimates of the prevalence of food insecurity. Detailed instructions are provided in Lesson 4 of the FIES e-learning course.
Report template
This report template is intended to guide users of the FIES in writing a comprehensive report covering the application of the FIES and interpretation of results.
Resources
FIES e-learning course
This self-paced FIES e-learning course leads learners through five lessons covering:
- The decision to adopt the FIES for food security monitoring;
- The inclusion of the FIES-SM within a survey;
- The statistical validation of FIES data;
- The calculation of estimates of food insecurity prevalence;
- The effective communication of FIES results.
FIES training webinar series
This series of videos provides step-by-step instruction on the theory behind experience-based food security scales and the application of the Rasch model for analysis of FIES data.