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

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 Herald   This completely revised version of the successful 1995 text covers a wide range of issues relating to research concepts and methods. It incorporates new lessons that have been learned regarding the merits and pitfalls of development work. Reflecting on how and why research in international development work has become a special case within the social sciences, this book provides innovative examples of participatory methods in action; methodological guidance on linking research purpose, questions and methods in qualitative and quantitative research; highlights new methods for development work and research like the Rights-based Approach, Appreciative Inquiry, the Social Capital Analysis Tool and Geomatics; emphasizes the gender perspective in development work; and discusses ethics, regulations and codes of conduct, as well as the question of encounters with `other` cultures.

Table of Contents:
PART ONE: CONTEXT AND FOCUS OF THE GUIDE Issues and Approaches in Current Development Co-Operation Dialogue, Problem Identification and Planning Cycle Target Groups, Readership and Terminology PART TWO: PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT - THE CONCEPT AND CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES Perceptions of Participation Participatory Methods, Techniques and Tools Strategic Considerations for Using Participatory Methods Critical Perspectives on Participation PART THREE: PARTICIPATORY METHODS IN USE Illustrations of Selected Participatory Methods Spreading Uses of Participatory Methods Topical Applications of Participatory Methods PART FOUR: DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES - PURPOSE, METHODS AND DESIGN Types and Forms of Development Studies Research Purpose, Goals and Focus Research Methods and Possible Combinations Research Process and Research Plan PART FIVE: DATA GENERATION AND ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE DATA Theory-Based Data Generation and Analysis Analysis of Qualitative Data Standards of Quality for Qualitative Research PART SIX: SELECTED DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND APPROACHES A Rights-Based Approach to Development Poverty Reduction - Evolving Agenda and Poverty Analysis Women in Development and Gender Perspectives Innovative Approaches - Appreciative Inquiry, Social Capital Assessment, Geomatics PART SEVEN: MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitoring and Evaluation - for Accountability and Learning Aid Evaluation, Basic Evaluation Designs and Primary Uses of Evaluation Findings Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Impact Monitoring and Evaluation Learning from M&E and Impact Studies PART EIGHT: CONCLUSION ON ETHICS AND INTERVENTIONS Images of 'the Others' Interventions, Interference and Agents of Change Dilemmas of Topics and Methods and Reminders on Conduct Bibliography Index

About the Author :
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. She has been in charge of multi-disciplinary evaluation teams in the sectors of health, water-supply and sanitation, poverty reduction and gender equality, education and vocational training, rural infrastructure and telecommunication, and university education and research evaluations. Dr. Mikkelsen takes a particular interest in interdisciplinary approaches, community participation, gender analysis, poverty impact assessment, cross-cultural perspectives and ethics. She has worked with a number of multi- and bilateral donor-agencies and nongovernmental organizations in Asia and Africa, and has served on international and Danish research councils. She is a frequent lecturer, course and workshop facilitator.

Review :
Praise for the First Edition: '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 An enthusiastic, vibrant supplement to methodology texts and help in;. 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 Herald