DCDM | Social Research and Policy

The development of social policy for the betterment of individuals requires a thorough understanding of the social fabric that characterises specific communities or population segments. The causes of deprivation, gender discrimination and poverty are multi-faceted issues that are underpinned by economic, sociological and psychological considerations. How these different considerations affect society vary across countries and within communities.

Social Research uses an array of methodologies and approach to investigate complex social issues and provide the necessary understanding and data to NGOs, international agencies and policy makers for establishing the right framework for social development.

Our Services:

Situation analysis

What is the current development situation of a country?
What are the key weaknesses areas where intervention is required?
Who should be the key development partners and how can greater synergy be achieved amongst these partners?
Situation analysis provides an outlook of the "as-is" state of development and identifies development opportunities and weaknesses. It is the cornerstone for the development of policy documents, action plans and the like.

What are the needs and aspirations of a particular community?
How do those needs and aspirations differ across socio-economic or socio-demographic profiles?
What kind of policies should be articulated to meet those specific needs and aspirations?

Needs Assessment identifies whom to target in terms of socio-demographic and economic profiles of the target group and provides understanding of their perceptions, needs and aspirations. Needs assessment is a more targeted approach that focuses the research intervention on a very distinct category of individuals.

Participatory Poverty Assessment

What is the incidence of poverty among a specific group of people, geographical location or a country?
What are the key indicators that must be developed to monitor the progress in a poverty alleviation programme?
How can the targeting approach be made more effective to cover the most needy groups?

Participatory Poverty Assessment is a tool which allows consultation with the poor directly and as such, enables the poor to influence policy. The approach is highly participatory, using a variety of flexible methods that usually combine visual techniques (mapping, diagrams…) and verbal techniques (open-ended interviews, focus groups…).
The approach captures the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and, with its focus on well-being and quality of life, shows that problems like vulnerability, physical and social isolation, insecurity, lack of self-respect, lack of access to information and powerlessness can be as important to the poor as low income.

Gender Analysis

Is the female population at a relative disadvantage compared to their male counterparts?
What is the type and extent of gender discrimination?

Gender Analysis focuses on understanding and documenting the differences in gender roles, activities, needs and opportunities in a given context. It involves the disaggregation of quantitative data by gender and highlights the different roles and behaviour of male and female based on gender attributes, which vary across cultures, class, ethnicity, income, education and time.

Beneficiary Assessment

What is the impact of social programme on the targeted beneficiaries?
Has the objective of the programme been achieved?

Beneficiary Assessment is a qualitative method of investigation and evaluation, involving consultation with project beneficiaries and other stakeholders in order to (a) identify constraints to beneficiary participation; and (b) obtain feedback on a particular intervention. Beneficiary Assessment is an important tool in understanding why certain services/schemes put in place are largely under-utilised or are not targeting the most needy groups.