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

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Thanks