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Toward a Research Design for The Water Dialogues- South Africa

Toward a Research Design for The Water Dialogues- South Africa. Dr. Mary Galvin Coordinator: The Water Dialogues South Africa 24 November 2006. Process. This presentation aims to create a basis for formulating our research design

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Toward a Research Design for The Water Dialogues- South Africa

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  1. Toward a Research Design for The Water Dialogues- South Africa Dr. Mary Galvin Coordinator: The Water Dialogues South Africa 24 November 2006

  2. Process • This presentation aims to create a basis for formulating our research design • Ideas were generated by Coordinator, based on the framework set by the Working Group, reading, and consultation with academics • Main design elements as well as details need to be discussed and agreement reached by the Working Group

  3. Framework set by Working Group 1. Problem Statement 2. Framing/ Research Questions (not completely finalised) 3. Notes on possible evaluation criteria 4. Agreement to use case studies as far as possible

  4. Assessment of Framework • Great achievement given diverse interests of stakeholders • Far too broad and not able to be implemented directly • Good basis for developing research design

  5. Finding a Balance • Potential process/ product tension: stakeholder interests, personal opinions, research expertise • Research design needs to be coherent and robust • Working Group must drive and own the project

  6. What this research design can achieve: • To evaluate a wide variety of institutional approaches • To systematically explore the relationship between expected explanatory variables and outcomes • To use an approach open enough to identify alternative explanatory factors as basis for further research

  7. From Problem Statement to Possible Research Question Given the varying capacities of Water Service Authorities, how do different institutional approaches affect outcomes?

  8. Context/ Introduction • Development of the issue nationally and internationally • Identification and discussion of key time periods, including institutional, legislative, and policy changes • Genesis and development of WD- South Africa • Themes/ Guiding questions that set the context • This study: research design and method

  9. Starting Point: What are we looking at? Different institutional approaches (groups of types)

  10. Case Selection: WSA Capacity and Types of Approach

  11. Case Selection • Case selection within this chart: two per cell so we can compare outcomes (30) • Some cells do not exist or there are limited cases, e.g. concessions (<26) • May be able to use existing case study research and simply fill gaps for some cells

  12. Concurrent National Scoping Exercise Locate case studies within the wider environment in South Africa.Two aims of a national scoping exercise: 1. To map existing approaches and coverage so we know how prevalent various approaches are (presently have statistic that 3% of population served by private sector) 2. To map trends to plan advocacy approach

  13. What we can explain • If significant variation between cases in each cell, need to look to other explanatory variables. 2. If we find little variation in each cell, we then can compare across cells: a. If similar outcome across type of approach= can draw conclusion about approach b. If similar outcomes across capacity, regardless of approach, capacity offers an alternative explanation

  14. What we might find (Hypotheses) • Institutional approach makes little difference to outcome in areas with high capacity (may find alternative explanation for concessions/ leases) • Institutional approach makes most difference in areas with low capacity, and we can identify the most desirable approach to deliver certain outcomes • May find something completely different!!

  15. How do institutional approaches affect outcomes? -

  16. Use framing questions to develop indicators to measure outcomes (1) service delivery tariffs: forms of control used to enforce revenue collection and cost recovery (3h) impacts on poor people (5b) finance (8) contracts and outsourcing: quality standards (10c) health: water quality and significance for public health (12) consumer satisfaction tariffs: impact of cost recovery on poor (3g) participation: in decision making and conditions to meaningfully involve civil society(4a,e) impacts on poor people (5a) social impacts: gender and cultural issues (9)

  17. Develop indicators to measure outcomes (2) financial management tariffs: cost recovery and collection rates (3g) finance (8) asset management environment: water resource management (6) labour (11)

  18. Contextual Variables • Consider the relevance of implementation during time periods identified for sector in terms of changes in the wider socio-political and economic context • Consider changes in implementation once feedback has been received, eg press and consumer responses • Note factors specific to the local area and history that may be more important than approach in explaining outcomes (alternative explanations)

  19. Possible Outputs • Decide on outputs as early as possible so can tailor research and write up accordingly • Some stakeholders focus on research, knowledge, and learning and can help package research • Possible outputs: communication via Forum, individual case study learnings or per type of approach, edited book

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