Methods for Development Work and Research : A New Guide for Practitioners

by Britha Mikkelsen

• ISBN13: 9780761933281
• ISBN10: 076193328X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-24
• Publisher: Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd

Summary

Praise for the First Edition:"It is a guide of vital importance to researchers, trainers and extension workers, especially those collaborating with communities in developing countries." - European Journal of Development Research"There is much of value here that even experienced development workers might learn from'¦. Mikkelsen offers many insights that would be valuable to any economist undertaking field work in development." - The Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics"An enthusiastic, vibrant supplement to methodology texts'¦. The formulation is concise, comprehensive, yet substantial." - Business Line"Development researchers will be grateful to Mikkelsen for her laudable job in competently assessing their needs'¦. She provides an overview of the traditional and the new techniques and tools for field study." - Deccan HeraldThis is the completely revised version of the highly successful textbook first published in 1995. This edition incorporates new lessons learned regarding the merits and pitfalls of development work, including particpatory methods and participatory development in practice.Key Features Outlines significant trends in international development co-operation with reference to change and continuity Incorporates critical perspectives on participation to allow practitioners to reflect on the theoretical as well as the practical and ethical implications of their work Provides examples of participatory methods in use particularly in macro-policy, budgeting and poverty reduction strategies Offers guidance on how to analyze qualitative data using indicators and IT tools Highlights the gender perspective in development work; elaborates on a rights-based approach to development which is currently replacing the conventional needs-based approach Focuses in greater detail on monitoring and evaluation; elaborates on ethics, methods and development interventions Addresses the important question of the problems of encountering 'other' culturesBased on feedback received in response to the First Edition and also the author's hands-on experience, this revised version continues to offer valuable and practical guidance combined with critical reflection on methods for development work and research.Dr Britha Mikkelsen is a senior social science and research specialist with COWI, Denmark, with wide experience in conceptualizing, conducting and coordinating project and program evaluations and impact studies.

Table of Contents

List of Boxes	10	(4)
List of Figures	14	(1)
List of Abbreviations	15	(4)
Preface to the Second Edition	19	(3)
Preface to the First Edition	22	(2)
Acknowledgements	24	(3)
1 CONTEXT AND Focus OF THE GUIDE	27	(26)
1.1 Issues and Approaches in Current Development Cooperation	27	(8)
1.1.1 Introduction	27	(2)
1.1.2 Development Cooperation in a Globalizing World-Continuity and Change	29	(2)
1.1.3 Practice, Process and Knowledge in Development Studies	31	(4)
1.2 Dialogue, Problem Identification and Planning Cycle	35	(11)
1.2.1 Problem Identification in Dialogue	35	(3)
1.2.2 The Planning Cycle and Objectives-oriented Planning	38	(2)
1.2.3 Problem Analysis in the Logical Framework Approach	40	(6)
1.3 Target Groups, Readership and Terminology	46	(7)
1.3.1 Target Groups	46	(1)
1.3.2 Related Publications	47	(1)
1.3.3 Terminology	48	(2)
1.3.4 Outline of the Book	50	(3)
2 PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT-THE CONCEPT AND CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES	53	(34)
2.1 Perceptions of Participation	53	(9)
2.1.1 Participation-A Contested Concept	53	(2)
2.1.2 Participation in Development-The New Mainstream 'Paradigm'?	55	(1)
2.1.3 Perspectives Over Time of Participation in Development Cooperation	56	(2)
2.1.4 Different Strategies and Interests in Participation	58	(4)
2.2 Participatory Methods, Techniques and Tools	62	(7)
2.2.1 Multiple Terminology and Sources	62	(1)
2.2.2 'Catalogue' of Participatory PRA Methods	63	(2)
2.2.3 Classification and Typologies of Participatory Methods	65	(4)
2.3 Considerations for Using Participatory Methods	69	(6)
2.3.1 Overall Principles	69	(1)
2.3.2 Gender Sensitivity in Application of Participatory Methods	70	(2)
2.3.3 Stakeholder Participation and Practitioner Capabilities	72	(3)
2.4 Critical Perspectives on Participation	75	(12)
2.4.1 Positions in the Critiques of Participation in Development	75	(5)
2.4.2 Methodological Concerns and 'Tyranny of Tools'	80	(4)
2.4.3 A Changing Participation Agenda?	84	(3)
3 PARTICIPATORY METHODS IN USE	87	(37)
3.1 Illustrations of Selected Participatory Methods	87	(23)
3.1.1 Elaboration of the 'Catalogue' of PRA Methods	87	(11)
3.1.2 Ranking and Scoring Techniques	98	(6)
3.1.3 Wealth Ranking and Social Mapping	104	(6)
3.2 Spreading Uses of Participatory Methods	110	(8)
3.2.1 Policy Planning-Deliberative Democracy and Inclusionary Processes	111	(2)
3.2.2 Decentralization Reforms-Negotiated Partnerships	113	(2)
3.2.3 Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, PRSP, and Processes	115	(3)
3.3 Topical Applications of Participatory Methods	118	(6)
3.3.1 Participatory Budgeting and Budget Analysis	118	(2)
3.3.2 Participatory Forest Management and Economic Analysis	120	(1)
3.3.3 Technology Assessment	121	(1)
3.3.4 Advocacy	122	(2)
4 DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES-PURPOSE, METHODS AND DESIGN	124	(32)
4.1 Types and Forms of Development Studies	124	(7)
4.1.1 Characteristics of Different Types of Studies	124	(3)
4.1.2 Different Objectives, Normative Aspects and Hidden Assumptions	127	(1)
4.1.3 Forms of Studies and Typical Research Questions	128	(3)
4.2 Research Purpose, Goals and Focus	131	(8)
4.2.1 Research Purpose and Application	131	(4)
4.2.2 Research Goals and Focus	135	(2)
4.2.3 Is There a Development Research-Development Work Continuum?	137	(2)
4.3 Research Methods and Possible Combinations	139	(9)
4.3.1 Research Methods	139	(2)
4.3.2 Quantitative and Qualitative Style Research	141	(5)
4.3.3 Interdisciplinary Perspectives	146	(2)
4.4 Research Process and Research Plan	148	(8)
4.4.1 Basic Elements in the Research Process	148	(1)
4.4.2 Methodological and Logic Considerations in the Research Process	149	(3)
4.4.3 Designing a Research Plan	152	(4)
5 DATA CONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE DATA	156	(43)
5.1 Theory Based Data Generation and Analysis	156	(12)
5.1.1 Theoretical Frameworks	156	(3)
5.1.2 Data Selection, Construction and Analysis	159	(2)
5.1.3 Using Indicators	161	(7)
5.2 Analysis of Qualitative Data	168	(24)
5.2.1 Data and Data Analysis	168	(1)
5.2.2 Interviews-A Key Source of Data	169	(11)
5.2.3 Analysis and Interpretation of Interview-based Data	180	(5)
5.2.4 Other Sources of Qualitative Data-Text Analysis and IT Tools	185	(7)
5.3 Standards of Quality for Qualitative Research	192	(7)
5.3.1 Sampling, Biases, Reliability and Validation	192	(4)
5.3.2 Criteria for Good Practice	196	(3)
6 SELECTED DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND APPROACHES	199	(64)
6.1 A Rights-based Approach to Development	199	(18)
6.1.1 The Principles and Concepts of Human Rights	201	(2)
6.1.2 Towards Operationalization of a Human Rights Approach	203	(10)
6.1.3 Challenges of Implementing a Rights-based Approach	213	(2)
6.1.4 Human Rights, Freedom and Poverty Reduction	215	(2)
6.2 Poverty Reduction-Evolving Agenda and Poverty Analysis	217	(14)
6.2.1 Evolving Approaches-Rights-based, Millennium Goals and PRSPs	217	(7)
6.2.2 Poverty Measures and Analysis	224	(4)
6.2.3 Indicators of Poverty and Prosperity-Monitoring and Evaluation	228	(3)
6.3 Women in Development and Gender Perspectives	231	(13)
6.3.1 From WID to Gender-Mainstreaming Gender Equality	231	(3)
6.3.2 Gender Analysis and Approaches to Gender Mainstreaming	234	(5)
6.3.3 Gender-sensitive Indicators, Poverty and Power	239	(2)
6.3.4 Contesting Perspectives-Mainstreaming and Women's Empowerment	241	(3)
6.4 Innovative Approaches-Appreciative Inquiry; Social Capital Assessment; Geomatics	244	(19)
6.4.1 Appreciative Inquiry	245	(3)
6.4.2 Social Capital Assessment Tool (SOCAT)	248	(4)
6.4.3 Geomatics-Space-related Information-Tools for Empowerment?	252	(11)
7 MONITORING AND EVALUATION	263	(62)
7.1 Monitoring and Evaluation-For Accountability and Learning	263	(6)
7.1.1 Definitions of Monitoring and Evaluation	263	(5)
7.1.2 Learning from Change	268	(1)
7.2 Aid Evaluation, Basic Evaluation Designs and Primary Uses of Evaluation Findings	269	(11)
7.2.1 Types of Aid Evaluation	269	(2)
7.2.2 Basic Evaluation Designs and Baseline Data	271	(2)
7.2.3 Primary Uses and Users of Evaluation Findings	273	(3)
7.2.4 Evaluator Roles-Professional Evaluators	276	(1)
7.2.5 Case 1: Thematic Evaluation of Participation and Empowerment	277	(1)
7.2.6 Case 2: Participatory Evaluation of Business Sector Support Programme, Tanzania	278	(2)
7.3 Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation	280	(24)
7.3.1 Why Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation?	280	(3)
7.3.2 Stakeholder Analysis and Beneficiary Assessment	283	(4)
7.3.3 Monitoring and Evaluation Methods and Tools	287	(2)
7.3.4 Setting up Participatory Monitoring Systems and Evaluation Frameworks	289	(3)
7.3.5 Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators	292	(3)
7.3.6 Case 3: Ranking by Farmers of Forages	295	(2)
7.3.7 Case 4: 'Keep it Simple' The Most Significant Change, MSC, Approach	297	(2)
7.3.8 Case 5: M&E of Agricultural Knowledge and Information	299	(2)
7.3.9 Case 6: Indicators for Institutional Capacity Building	301	(3)
7.4 Impact Monitoring and Evaluation	304	(19)
7.4.1 Impact M&E--Rationality, Causality and Attribution	304	(1)
7.4.2 Monitoring and Evaluation of Poverty and Well-being Changes	305	(5)
7.4.3 Case 7: Evaluation of Poverty Reduction in Danish Development Assistance	310	(6)
7.4.4 Case 8: Gender and Poverty Impact Monitoring for the ASPS, Uganda	316	(4)
7.4.5 Case 9: Impact Evaluation in an Empowerment Framework	320	(3)
7.5 Learning from M&E and Impact Studies	323	(2)
8 CONCLUSION ON ETHICS AND INTERVENTIONS	325	(21)
8.1 Images of 'the Others'	326	(6)
8.1.1 Culture Encounters	326	(1)
8.1.2 Central and Peripheral Norms	327	(2)
8.1.3 Concepts of Space and Time	329	(1)
8.1.4 Women Field Researchers and Field Assistants	330	(2)
8.2 Interventions, Interference and Agents of Change	332	(7)
8.2.1 Ethics and Development Interventions	332	(3)
8.2.2 Ethics of Specific Disciplines	335	(2)
8.2.3 Regulations and Codes of Conduct	337	(2)
8.3 Dilemmas of Topics and Methods, and Reminders on Conduct	339	(7)
8.3.1 Unintended Consequences of Codes of Conduct	339	(1)
8.3.2 Ethics and Methods-The Power of Interviewing	340	(2)
8.3.3 Ethical Issues of Field Studies	342	(1)
8.3.4 Reciprocity	343	(3)
Glossary	346	(4)
Bibliography	350	(16)
Index	366	(9)
About the Author	375