Toolbox: Combining methods
Choosing which methods or mix of methods to use
Herbert and Shepherd (2001) suggest that before embarking on an impact assessment study, the researchers ask themselves the following questions. The questions, and the tables below, can be usefully adapted for any type of poverty-oriented research.
- What are the objectives of the impact assessment? Is it about 'proving' impact or 'improving' the project or service?
- How complex is the project, what type is it (blue print or process), what is already known about it?
- What information is needed?
- When is the information needed?
- How is the information to be used and by whom?
- What level of reliability is required?
- What resources are available (time, money and human)?
- Who is the audience of the impact assessment study?
Quantitative research methods can be used to collect data which can be analysed in numerical form. They pose the questions who, what, when, where, how much, how many, how often? Things are either counted or measured or a set questionnaire is used. Answers can be coded and statistical analysis used to give responses in the form of averages, ratios, ranges etc (Gosling and Edwards, 1995). See Gosling and Edwards for an introduction to using surveys. Qualitative research methods provide greater flexibility and pose questions in a more open-ended manner. This can make analysis and synthesis more difficult.
See Combining quantitative survey and ‘participatory’ research: Sechaba [Lesotho] and Researching political capital for examples.