Action Research& Development Projects

1. Action Research& Development Projects ILINOVA SUMMER SCHOOL Egerton University - Nakuru September 22, 2014, A.Giani (Wageningen UR – CDI)

2. Outline • Group Work • How reality is perceived • Action Research • Development project Most of the material on AR used in this session has been produced by ICRA

3. Group Work • We will work on 3 types of proposal: 1. Basic or Applied research, to create more knowledge about something related to a specific breed (performance, resistance, genetic characterization, nutrition etc) 2. Action research (how to work with communities or governments to conserve/improve a local breed) 3. Development projects (how to improve the livelihood through the use of local breeds) • Participants with similar interests will form groups of 2-3 people and go through it.

4. How is the reality perceived?

5. Perception is important Now I will show you the picture of a seagull… for 3 seconds Try to memorize it…

7. Who saw the Rabbit?

8. action change within a system emancipate through action expose and change the dominant system pave the way for change build broader understanding Whatis the purpose of research? Action research Basic research Critical / radical research Applied research technical/ practical participatory/ emancipatory O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage

9. Behaviour and attitude change Conscientization Autonomy Production of knowledge Problemsolving Empowerment Whatis the purpose of action research? action change within a system emancipate through action technical/ practical participatory/ emancipatory Action research

10. What is action research?

11. Addresses practical problems to develop practical actions • Integrates action with production of knowledge : knowledge from action rather than action following from knowledge • Enacts change at the same time as it gains understanding • Facilitates change by being participatory and collaborative • Is based on a cyclical process of action - reflection Whatis action research in short?

12. Why is AR important? • Contemporary society is facedwithchallengesthatcannotbestudiedfrom a monodisciplinaryperspective but must embracecomplexityandinterdisciplinarity • Takes into account stakeholders interests in the issue at hand.

13. 4 assumptions of AR shared responsibilities equal power equal voice bottom up How rational can we be about 2 and 3?

14. Principles of a good (P)AR Participation (trust) Reversal of Learning Sharing Gender Sensitivity Optimal Ignorance (leave room for unexpected) Rapid but Relaxed (don’t rush) Flexibility and Adaptability (no blueprint) Fieldwork Triangulation/Cross-checking

15. Importance of Action Research for universities • Connecting education, industry and community to promote mutually beneficial partnerships that support career development, lifelong learning, and community development; Providing opportunities for students to use their academic learning experiences in actual field settings leading to the development of entrepreneurship and a more positive attitude towards development; Making the university’s technical expertise available to the community in the target area;

16. Analyse & Question Monitor & Record Observe Reflect Prepare for Action Field work Act Plan Cycles in action research Observe Reflect Act Plan Observe Reflect Act Plan

17. Cycles in action research Observe • Structured / semi-structured / non-structured • Inside / Outside • Neutral / Biased (non-neutral) • Participatory / Non-participatory Observe, monitor and record

18. Cycles in action research Reflect Analyse and Question • Return to experience • Recall and detailsalientevents • Attend to, connect, with feelings • Use helpful feelings • Remove / contain obstructive feelings • Evaluateexperience • Re-examineexperience in the light of objectives and knowledge • Integratethis new knowledgeintoyourconceptualframework http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-reflect.htm

19. Cycles in action research Plan Prepare for action • Objectives • Contents / Topics • Research questions • Methods • Logistics • Timing of the main activities

20. Cycles in action research Act Carry out plan, collect evidence • Formal: single visit (one off) / multiple visits / regular visits • - Self administered (“questionnaires”) • -  Administered (“interview schedule”) • Informal: RRA, PRA • - Group interviews: open/mixed groups / selected groups (focus groups) • - Resource persons interviews • - Case studies • Experimentation

21. Outline of a researchplan Context of the research Problemstatement Researchquestions and hypotheses Methods and research objectives / expectedresults Previsional planning

22. Previsional plan

23. Action Research and linkages development Livestock Sector Un & RI CO - RESEARCHERS

24. Different Approaches:Milk improvement in small-holder dairy farms in Machakos through the introduction of pure Holstein breed

25. Different Approaches:Which cattle breed will increase the livelihood of small-holder dairy farms system in Machakos ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

26. Development projects

27. Definition: A project is a series of activities aimed at bringing about clearly specified objectives within a defined time-period and with a defined budget. • It is about creating change in a certain situation, based on ASSUMPTIONS through ACTIVITIES that will make use of INPUTS that results in OUTPUTS that will lead to OUTCOMES. The long term and broader effect of the project is its IMPACT • One of the main tools used is the LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

34. LFA: first steps • Situation assessment: region, system, problems/issues • Stakeholder analysis • Problem analysis

35. LogicalFramework e.g. IGUANA FARMING

36. Development projects and action research are similar but don’t forget that AR is still a research that needs to produce knowledge (articles) and have a clear methodology. It is possible to have DP and AR together!

37. Thanks for your attention!