McCormick+Schmitz Handbook for value chain research on - PACA

The third step is data collection. Many of the methods of collecting data already
described are suitable <strong>for</strong> gathering network data. The important thing to remember is that
in addition to the basic questions about the respondent or firm being interviewed, two
other types of questions must be asked: questions about the relationship of that actor to
others known to be in the network, and questions aimed at identifying previously
unknown network members.
The final step is data analysis. The general techniques of quantitative and qualitative
analysis are also applicable to network data. In addition, many analysts make extensive
use of matrices, maps, and other diagrams to capture the nature, direction, strength, and
complexity of individual relations and entire networks. Our <strong>chain</strong> maps in chapters 8-10
are examples of such network maps.
The <strong>research</strong> methods described thus far can all be called ‘conventional’ methods. All, to
a greater or lesser extent, involve one or more <strong>research</strong>ers who seek in<strong>for</strong>mation from and
about other people and situations. Even participant observation, as it is usually carried
out, falls into this category because the <strong>research</strong>er originates outside of the situation being
observed. These are, however, not the only types of <strong>research</strong>. In the next two sections we
take up two other approaches to <strong>research</strong> that deserve special mention: participatory and
feminist <strong>research</strong> methods.
A.7 Participatory <strong>research</strong> methods
Participatory <strong>research</strong> replaces the expert-driven, extractive approach of conventional
<strong>research</strong> with methods in which data collection and analysis are largely carried out by
local people with professional <strong>research</strong>ers acting as facilitators. The approach recognises
that local people are the ones who know most about their own livelihood systems and
have the most to gain or lose in any development ef<strong>for</strong>t. This means that they should be
active participants in the selection, design, planning and implementation of programmes
and projects that will affect them.
The advantages of participatory <strong>research</strong> are fairly obvious. Members of the local
community often have an easier time getting sensitive in<strong>for</strong>mation than external
<strong>research</strong>ers. They are also better able to judge the accuracy of situations described by
others. Furthermore, people who have been involved in the <strong>research</strong> are more likely to
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