Choosing Research Methods

* Forward; * Introduction; 1. Starting research: some basic issues; * Identifying a research need; * The level of participation; * Expectations aroused by research; * Constraints on conducting research; * Government attitudes; * Conflicts and emergencies; * Cultural factors: gender relations and power structures; * Resources; 2. Strategic issues in planning and sound research; * The unit of analysis; * Questions of time; * The research timetable; * Continuous research or a snapshot?; * Objectivity; subjectivity and the control of bias; * Representative results; * Some pitfalls to be avoided; * Choosing the researchers; * Local participation and experts; * Training the field team; * Styles of research; 3. The range of research methods; * Making the most of existing resources; * Asking questions and interviewing; * Group interviews; * Oral testimonies oral histories and life-histories; * Surveys; * Sampling; * The pros and cons of a survey; * Participant observation; * Rapid rural appraisal; * The variety of RRA techniques; * Collating and presenting RRA findings; * Limitations of RRA; * An example of RRA; * Participatory Rural Appraisal; 4. General issues affecting most research methods; * The use of appropriate indicators; * Validation; * After research: some crucial questions; * Bibliography; * Appendix 1 Checking for questions; * Appendix 2 Questionnaire design; * Appendix 3 Some high-tech; high cost research methods; * Appendix 4 Logical Framework Analysis; * Appendix 5 Women and evaluation; * Appendix 6 Action Research Programme: the methods and approach; * Index