Get ideas in your area
Not sure what to do? Why not research ideas for projects in your area by doing some field work, interviews and questionnaires
Do your own research
Field work
- Find trusted "gatekeepers" — people trusted by the community who can give you advice on your community
- Be aware of any risk of physical threat or abuse or of being in a compromising situation
- Clarifying responsibilities within the group
- Plan fieldwork well in advance, including what you hope to achieve
Interviews
- Always conduct interviews in a neutral setting
- Keep interviews to a time limit, remembering to have enough time for all your questions and their answers
- Prepare all your questions in advance, making sure that they all are conducive to achieving what you
- Practice interviewing friends and family before conducting them for real
Questionnaires
- Plan your questionnaire, especially what you want to find out, and make sure that every question meets your criteria
- Remember ‘KISS’ — keep it short and simple
- Allow a “Don't Know” or “Not Applicable” response to all questions, also when appropriate allow ‘other’ or ‘none’ responses
- Always advise respondents that there answers and identity will not be revealed