research and advocacy by seetal daas
TRANSCRIPT
RESEARCH AND ADVOCACYBY
Seetal DaasBusiness Administration 2k13Sindh University Laar Campus
Badin
Research
Research is an important step in preparing or
our advocacy campaign.Careful, objective research will educate us
and our supporters about the causes and effects of the problem.
Basic steps of a research project
Find a topic-What, When- Formulate questions-What ,Why Define population-Who, When Select design & measurement-How Gather evidence-How Interpret evidence-Why Tell about what you did and found out
Definitions
Data: Symbols, facts Information: data that are processed to
be useful, provides answers to who, when, where and what
Knowledge: application of data and information; answers ‘How’ questions
Understanding: appreciation of ‘why’ Wisdom: evaluated understanding
Sources of Data
Primary (you collect for current purpose) Experts Key informants Citizens/ consumers Secondary (others collected for other
purpose) Census bureau Research studies Agencies
Methods of Primary Data Collection
Surveys Public Forums Interviews Documents analysis Observation Group process (focus groups)
Primary Data Collection Techniques
They deal mainly with data gained directly from the clients or target population. These data collection techniques can be broken down into following types. General population survey Subpopulation and key informant surveys- town
leaders, well known individuals, groups andassociations
Observations-where the researcher is known/unknown or a participant
Case studies –life histories, histories of an issue within communities Group studies- focus groups, brainstorming ,community
task force or advisory committee
Secondary Data Collection Techniques
They deal with information which has already been collected and published from other sources. Such data collection techniques can be grouped into two main categories.
Public sources- census, unemployment figures, opinion polls, and government budgets etc
Unusual and accessible community sources-road maps, Yellow pages, newspapers, yearbooks and bulletin boards
Ways of ContactSurvey Research Quantitative method; ask many people the same
questions Researcher select a random sample to represent the
entire group (population) Methods include telephone, door to door, internet ,mail
In-depth Interviews A quantitative method using one-on-one interviews
asking open-ended questions Interviews are more flexible and unstructured Use smaller sample sizes so results cannot be
generalized to the population
Most Commonly Used Data Collection Method in Community Assessments
1. Surveys2. Key informants Interviews3. Focus Groups4. Other Rapid Appraisal Techniques
Sampling
Indentify the population you want to study.
The sample must be representative of the population you want to study.
GET A RANDOM SAMPLE. Stratified Sampling
Random Assignment
Once you have a random sample, randomly assigning them into two groups helps control for confounding variables.
Experimental Group v/s Control Group. Group Matching
Survey Method
Most common type of study in psychology
Measures correlation Cheap and fast Need a good random sample Low-response rate
Naturalistic Observation
Watch subjects in their natural environment.
Do not manipulate the environment.
The good is that there is Hawthorne effect.
The bad is that we can never really show cause and effect.
Correlation Coefficient
A number that measures the strength of a relationship.
Range is form -1 to +1 The relationship gets weaker the closer
you get to zero.What is a stronger correlation? -.13 or +.38 -.72 or +.59 -.91 or +.04
Case Studies
A detailed picture of one or few subjects. Tells us a great story…but is just
descriptive research. Does not even give us correlation data.
Statistics
Recording the results from our studies.
Must use a common language so we all know what we are talking about.
Descriptive Statistics
Just descriptive sets of data You might create a
frequency distribution. Frequency polygons or
histograms
Focus Groups Background Definition
Focus groups are a qualitative research method designed to learn more about how people think, feel, or make decisions.
A series of focused discussions involving 8-12 people.
Participants are selected to share their perceptions of a defined topic.
Stimulates participants to share their opinions openly in a group discussion.
Captures rich data in participants’ own words. Flexible to capture new ideas and issues
Group Process (Focus Groups)
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Detailed analysis Quick Can use techniques
as brainstorming & Nominal group
Online techniques are available, e.g., Listeners ,chat rooms.
Requires experience Requires planning Hard to get diversity Difficult to
summarize
Surveys: Definition
Surveys are composed of carefully crafted questions on a topic or issue for the purpose of revealing information about community residents or the services they utilize.
A survey is a ‘sampling’, or partial collection, of facts, figures, or opinions taken to approximate the experience of the entire community.
The most commonly used survey methods are:1. Self-Administered Surveys (mailed, handed out, or web-based)
2. Interviewer-Administered Surveys (in-person, over the telephone)
Surveys: Planning A Survey
Determine your purpose Determine the data you need Select your target audience Select a survey method Design survey questions Pilot test survey Conduct Surveys
Survey Instrument: Questions
Your survey questions should be in direct relationship with what you want to learn from your target population-your research questions.
Asking unrelated questions will interrupt the flow of the survey and tire out your respondents.
Be brief and strategic when designing questions! Open-ended questions are great for answering ‘why’
questions, but only include very few. Motivating people to fill out your survey will help you
collect the data you need-this can include a benefits statements or incentives such as gift vouchers or entry into a drawing for a larger prize.
About Survey Questions
Use more closed-ended questions than open-ended ones.
Put your question in a logical order Allow a ‘Don’t Know’, ‘Other’ or ‘Not
Applicable’ response. Name your survey Use a cover memo or introduction with
purpose and benefits statements if self-administered.
Designing Survey Question
Write a short questionnaire. Use simple words Avoid question that sounds very formal. Write questions that everybody understand
the same way. Start with interesting questions. Don’t use leading question. Don’t make the list of choice too long. Ask close-end questions. Organize your questions in a logical order. Test your survey first.
Surveys (household, consumer, etc)
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Targeted High
Validity/reliability Many analysis
tools(stats) Cost effective
(sampling) Online options are
possible
Experience required Time consuming Requires a pretest Return or missing
rate Sample size
vs.accuracy
Public Forum
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Easy to set up Gives all the
opportunity to participate
High Validity
Hard to control Can be dominated by
a few Hard to summarize
results May not be reliable
(hard to replicate)
Interviews
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Easy to conduct Can discover political
realities Can get ‘off the
record’ information High validity/reliability Can explore answers Can get capacities via
stories & histories
Hidden agendas Hard to summarize Can be biased by
who is interviewed
Some Source of Error
Sampling ErrorSize of population surveyed
Sample selectionBias in sample selection
QuestionnaireBad questionnaire design
Interviewer Leading respondent, making assumption, misunderstanding question
RespondentsRefusal, memory problem, protecting personal interest or integrity
Document Analysis
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Readily available information
Inexpensive High reliability Analysis tools exist Can get at capacities
via histories
Hard to analyze Hard to summarize Moderate validity
because you cannot always find documents on topic
Observation
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Inexpensive High validity Gives information on
the context
Hard to analyze Hard to summarize May be biased due to
values of the designer/observer
Moderate/ low reliable (hard to replicate)
Data Analysis
When using statistics for the general public, remember the following principles:
Minimum data collection ,maximum analysis KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Distinguish between data and interpretation of
data Use totals and average, per cents, etc.
Data Presentation Techniques
Know your audience (research vs. program grant) Executive summaries(assume multiple readers) One picture worth 1000 words Use indicators Use graphics (Excel charting feature is great) Geographic Information System (GIS) help Assume a 6th grade reading level for public Use tables and figures Put data in appendices unless needed to
understand text.
Politics of Data Collection
Use incentives/ payoffs for those providing data
Secondary data usually easy to obtain The internet is the first place to search Beware of biases and personal agendas
Introduction to PRA tools
a. Transfer Walkb. Semi-Structured Interviewingc. Pie Diagram & Venn Diagramd. Seasonal Calendare. Time linesf. Rankingg. Problem Solution Matrixh. Social Mapping
Conclusion
Data is the best for identifying need Stories, histories, etc. best for indentifying
capacities People know needs but need help with
solutions Data presentation should be logical Minimum data collection, maximum use Assessment should present a picture/tell a
story
Data Analysis
Data analysis is a process of gathering, modeling, and transforming data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making.
Data Analysis
Qualitative analysis of data: Recording experience and meanings.
Interpretations of interviews, case studies, and observations: Some of the problems involved in drawing conclusions from non-experimental studies.
Content Analysis: Studying the messages contained in media and communications.
Data Analysis
Quantitative analysis: Description statistics: what to do with all those numbers and percentages at the end of the study.
Data presentation and statistical tests: when to use a chart or a graph. Which statistical test to choose and why.
Pie Diagram
Essential for Income expenses Agriculture & crops Employment Gender Ratio Mortality Rate
Data Collection
S.# Information required
Source Method Responsibility
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Thanks