ActionAid Feminist Research Guidelines - 2021

ACTIONAID
FEMINIST RESEARCH
GUIDELINES
NOVEMBER 2021
These guidelines are primarily for ActionAid staff and partners
who want to ensure their research is from a feminist
perspective. The summary documents point different
users, including those outside ActionAid, to
sections they might find useful.
INTRODUCTION
R
esearch is one of our strongest tools for advocacy with governments,
international institutions and duty bearers; external engagement, tracking
impact and learning from our programmes. Research products are key to
bringing about shifts in power that will ensure that women, men, non-binary
people and young people living in poverty and exclusion secure their rights.1
The research process in and of itself can be a transformative process; since
collaboratively reflecting on power is itself an activist pedagogy.
This guidance note aims to support ActionAid staff and partners and those interested in how
ActionAid does, or commissions, research which draws on a feminist approach. It accompanies our
ActionAid Research Signature and Strategy and is a set of ideas for conducting research with a feminist
approach that is rooted in our principles and mission and supports ActionAid’s change objectives.2
This guidance draws on existing feedback and guidelines within the ActionAid federation and from
feminist researchers from the global south.3 It was initially put together in response to an analysis
of ActionAid’s research and has been further developed to respond to affiliates who have made
research a strategic priority, and who are specifically keen to work with others to ensure their
research process and product has a feminist lens.4
The guidelines support research project managers to follow ActionAid’s Top Ten feminist
leadership principles5 to ensure our research uses a gender transformative approach at all levels
- from the thinking up of research ideas (whether for an exposé or for long term community
analysis), to developing partnerships, to managing or conducting research, through to the analysis,
the publication(s) and the influencing.
The guidelines are really just that, they outline best practice: every research project is different.
For example, quick deadlines, especially around fundraising proposals, may not permit such a
thorough analysis of context, and corporate exposés will require specific expertise. In addition,
not everything in the note will be relevant for your project, and it doesn’t claim to cover every
scenario. Nonetheless, to ensure a thorough feminist analysis, quality products, productive
partnerships and to adhere to our ideology and HRBA, it is strongly encouraged that research
project managers follow the basic steps. Do share your experiences of doing research so we can
continue to learn.
If you have any questions on the content, or cannot access the supplementary documents,
please contact the Global Secretariat Research Advisor – kate.carroll@actionaid.org
1. Previous publications have spelled womxn with ‘x’ to avoid the suffix ‘men/man’ and to show solidarity with and recognition of a diversity of people
- LGBTQ+, including trans people and those who choose not to identify themselves by gender. However, language is contested and changing, and we
feel that the most inclusive phrase is women, men and non-binary people. Throughout these Guidelines we may also say women and young people.
2. The document complements existing documents that guide ActionAiders when commissioning research. For example, the templates for ActionAid
International ToR & project plan, libel guidelines, in-house style guide, etc. which are all available on sharepoint here: https://actionaidglobal.
sharepoint.com/sites/Research
3. Thanks specifically to: Trimita Chakma, Isabella Matambanadzo & Awino Okech
4. Margie Buchanan-Smith; Making the most of research within ActionAid International; ActionAid IPD; 2009 & internal discussions, available on request.
5. For more detail, see: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/GlobalSecretariat/Eesq7Y35X4NIk-60sBOtBsQBqTdCg46C1yHkAIwiZ7_gpw?e=CNiOq3
FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 2

Sabita Rani discussing and gathering evidence around nutrition with women and children in Bangladesh. PHOTO: TURJOY CHOWDHURY/ACTIONAID
nd
ection a evaluation
Refl
e research p
a ging th roc
an ess
M
Analysis
Generating
different Conceptualising
research Research
products
Analysis / Writing
Reflection /
Evaluation
Developing
Publications
a research
and impact
proposal
Cementing Inception
a research workshop
protocol

The guidelines set out ActionAid’s vision and aims in research and apply a feminist lens
to each area of the research process. The table of contents allows the user / research
manager to consider adopting the guidance as appropriate for their context.
The writers acknowledge that the chronological lay out of the paper might
CONTENTS
not follow the notion of research as an ongoing process of reflection
and action (see figure above). However, we hope it will be
easier to navigate. Note that some sections could appear
within several places due to the iterative nature
of research. Further materials to support
these guidelines are available
here.
Introduction 2
Why is a feminist approach to research important for ActionAid? 6
ActionAid’s Research Strategy 7
ActionAid’s Research Signature 8
Summary of checklists 10
STEP ONE: Conceptualising Research 12
Conceptualising research ideas 12

Developing a research team 13
Considering research partners 14
Working with academic institutes 16
Choose researchers / consultants / a mentor 17
Local researcher selection 17
Check list for conceptualising research 18
STEP TWO: Developing a research proposal 19
Defining research aims 19

Develop a background and context analysis 20
Who to include in your context analysis 21
Be clear about your audience, including media 21
Think about your methodology 21
Participation in an ActionAid context 23
Linking our work across levels 24
Managing power in the research process 24
Risk 25
Put together a dissemination strategy 25
Plan your budget 25
Be clear about your timeline 26
Check you’ve got the right people to sign off 26
Formalise your thinking in a clear ToR/Research & Publications Plan 27
Check list for developing a research proposal 27
STEP THREE: Inception Workshop 29
Preparing a research inception workshop 29

Tools you can use in a research inception meeting: 30
Check list for an inception meeting 32
STEP FOUR: Cementing a research protocol, safeguarding & ethics 33
Researcher training 33
Capacity development 34
How will the work be collaboratively managed? 34
Collective, collaborative working & peer review 34

What other issues might arise as you jointly sign a MoU? 35
How can I ensure my research is rigourous? Sampling and controls 37
Informed consent 38
Disclosure and safety of participants 38
Check list for cementing a research protocol, safeguarding and ethics: 40
STEP FIVE: Publications and impact 42
Consider a variety of outputs 42

Communications checklist 43
Think about language 43
Checklist for managing publications and impact 43
STEP SIX: Managing the research processes 44
Managing interviews & focus group discussions 44

Fieldwork notes 47
Taking photos 47
Checklist for managing the research process 47
STEP SEVEN: Analysis 48
Ensuring good quality evidence & statistics 48

Data analysis 48
Check list for analysis 50
STEP EIGHT: Generating research products 51
Executive summary 51
Recommendations 51
References 51
Libel proofing 51
Peer review (see previous entry) 52
Inclusive acknowledgements & author byline 52
Branding 52
Printing 52
Editing 52
Sign off 52
Check list for generating research products 52
STEP NINE: Reflection on findings with participants and other key groups of rights holders 53
Reflection with stakeholders / validation workshop 53

Evaluation 54
Check list for sharing findings 54
Further reading 55
ANNEX: FUNDRAISING FOR ACTIONAID RESEARCH 56

Why is a feminist see and understand the world. In this sense, the
research itself can be the activism as it is where -
approach to through Reflection-Action cycles - the change starts

to happen.8
research important Research and policy analysis, combined with
for ActionAid? collective action, and ongoing reflection by those

involved in the research and activism - is necessary
to build evidence-based alternatives to convince
To address the structural causes of poverty and to
and compel decision-makers to change. Our
challenge and defeat patriarchal power, and other
long-term engagement in particular communities,
interlinking systems of oppression based on race,
and local territorial struggles, means that we can
class, caste, age, geography, sexual orientation,
track issues over time, reflecting and then building
gender identity and people’s political views, we need
evidence of programme learning and methodologies,
decision makers to shift their views and actions. We
existing and new, and - together with our allies -
need evidence to dismantle bias and to challenge
bring it to national or international attention.
how and where power negatively manifests and
reproduces oppression, impacting people differently
Drawing on an intersectional feminist framing for
depending on their intersecting identities.6
our work, we acknowledge gender does not operate
Currently, in most global and national policy fora, alone as a basis for structural inequality. Power
what is deemed ‘evidence’ is typically produced and and privilege are experienced in different ways by
funded by white, elite, heteronormative, patriarchal, different groups of women at different points in their
and neoliberal actors, who are more often than history and in varying contexts. ‘Intersectionality’
not men.7 These individuals and institutions are was coined by a black feminist, Kimberlé Crenshaw
often located in or connected to the global north in 1989,9 although its roots go back to postcolonial
and are often unwilling to recognise their power and African-American feminist histories, as well as
and privileges. Rather than being active agents in Third World Liberation movements.10 Intersectional
their narrative, this research consequently tends to feminism is an understanding that different forms
silence research ‘subjects’, often people of colour of structural oppression overlap. For example,
– and particularly women and girls who are framed Crenshaw found that African-American women
as lacking in agency. This perpetuates unhealthy faced discrimination from gender, race and class
power dynamics and impacts the analysis, and which significantly impacted their access to justice,
consequently the policy and practise decisions, that compared to other women.
are informed by their research.
Intersectional feminism should be a frame for our
ActionAid is committed to challenging and work and will strengthen our power analysis. It
diversifying whose knowledge counts, starting with allows us to understand how different inequalities
people’s role in shaping the priorities and evidence are constructed and sustained. ActionAid’s research
itself and strengthening these alternative narratives should bring to the centre the experiences and
which go some way to challenging how people rights of those who are most marginalised and
6. For a glossary of key concepts go to: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/Research

7. For example, see Enloe, C. 2014, Bananas, beaches and bases: Making feminist sense of international politics; Chilisa, B. & Ntseane, G., 2010;
Resisting dominant discourses: Implications of indigenous, African feminist theory and methods for gender and education research. Gender
and Education, 22 (6).; Heleta, S., 2016, ‘Decolonisation of higher education: Dismantling epistemic violence and Eurocentrism in South Africa’,
Transformation in Higher Education 1(1); Tuhiwal Smith, L.., 2019, Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous people. 2nd Edition. Zed
Books.; Sultana, F., 2019; Decolonizing Development Education and the Pursuit of Social Justice. Human Geography (12): 3.
8. Reflection-Action is ActionAid’s harmonised participatory methodology. It uses a range of participatory tools to help create an open, democratic
environment in which everyone is able to contribute. Participants work together to analyse their situation, identify rights violations and bring
about change. http://www.networkedtoolbox.com/pages/about-reflection-action/ see also: http://netbox-production.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.
com/resources/5a4dbe0f6b344789810584f8b1b23ea7.pdf
9. Crenshaw, K.,1991, Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43 (6): 1241-1299.
10. See: Salem, Sara, 2019, https://gadnetwork.org/gadn-resources/capitalism-postcolonialism-and-gender-complicating-development

together interrogate why inequalities occur. This identify alternatives and achieve campaign and
helps support programming and practise that breaks advocacy goals which shift power.
down systems and structures that sustain them.
Inclusion is a central tenet of the Research Signature. “We believe that an end to poverty
and injustice can be achieved through
Using feminist analysis, we aim to identify how to
purposeful individual and collective action,
break the barriers around participation and promote
led by the active agency of people living
shared use of power in our research processes. We
in poverty and supported by solidarity,
recognize and support communities to put their credible rights-based alternatives and
skills, values and contributions at the forefront of campaigns that address the structural
research processes. causes and consequences of poverty.”11
A feminist research approach and the advancing of Our nested research theory of change mirrors
feminist alternatives can provide a glue to link our this. ActionAid research should subvert traditional
local, national and international work. Developing notions of evidence on questions of international
evidence is key to advocating for better programming, development and economic policy as being
produced in the global north or by individuals and
as well as for changes at national and international
institutions connected with the global north ‘on’
level. Evidence supports us to identify different
people in the global south, whose lives are often
pathways for change, whether through alternatives,
fetishised and whose voices – especially those of
new campaigns or new programme learnings. women and girls - are often silenced.
ActionAid’s research mission is to support
ActionAid’s ActionAid’s overall mission by producing evidence,

including at a local, territorial level, that is
Research Strategy complemented by analysis and evidence from

different places and seeks to shift power at local
level - to challenge dominant narratives and false
ActionAid’s theory of change outlines that our work solutions by generating alternative ways of organising
must be empowering, build collective solidarity, economies and societies, of being and doing.
Research - both in process and product should wherever possible:
Research, reflection and enquiry is part of ActionAid’s programme cycle and as such should build
Be empowering on participants’ ‘power within’, equipping them with different tools and concepts and enabling
collective reflection, analysis and action together as collaborative participants.
If a research process builds alliances through the varied involvement of different actors (partners,
Build solidarity alliances, allies, research institutes), or if the evidence is disseminated widely, then it can build
solidarity linkages across different levels to ensure collective action for change (power with).
Research, when we communicate findings effectively, is one of our strongest tools for external
engagement and impact. Research products can play a role in influencing to bring about changes
Shift power in power that will ensure that women and young people living in poverty secure their rights by
addressing the structural causes of poverty and offering rights based alternatives (power to).
See ‘What is feminist research?’ for more details.
11. As outlined in ActionAid’s strategy; Action for Global Justice 2028

ActionAid’s Our Research Signature strapline is that: “people-centred evidence
gathering with women and young people at the core, collectively
Research
analysed with knowledge from in and outside the organisation,
can enable multiple power shifts. This brings about changes at
Signature
local, national, international levels”.
A research ‘signature’ relates to the consistent look and feel

of ActionAid’s research. This look and feel is usually achieved
Our ActionAid Research
through: the consistent use of empowering feminist methodologies,
Signature outlines our research approaches and processes; the application of ActionAid’s brand;
niche and approach. and an ideological feminist foundation and analysis.
Key elements of ActionAid Research:
People living in poverty are empowered by our research – both process and
product:
a. Involves the participation of people living in poverty and exclusion and their movements
1
directly (wherever possible) at every stage of the research process, including in identifying
questions, thorough joint analysis, and by bringing in people’s new knowledge and strategies
for change
b. Active in using the research evidence for influencing change at different levels
c. Women and young people actively inform and transform the evidence-gathering, and are well
represented throughout the research outputs and attribution: voices are amplified through
analysis, perspectives, quotes, pictures, and stories
d. Ownership of analysis and intellectual property is jointly shared with communities.
Strong analysis draws on intersectional feminism:
a. Focuses on unpacking the nature of gender power relations and the social inequalities which
root them
b. Challenges and/or allows us to better understand social and political realities, looking at the
roles of various actors linked to a problem and the dimensions of power that characterise
their relationship
2
c. Recognises and engages the power relations evident in traditional research practice such as
the notion of researcher/researched, and seeks to subvert traditional practice
d. Historically interested in overcoming the invisibility and distortion of women’s experiences by
challenging dominant practice and models
e. Looks at the interconnectedness of structural causes of rights violations from local, national,
regional and global perspectives
f. Understands that changes must take place in laws, policies and resources as well as in culture,
beliefs and practices
g. Is rigorous, comprehensive, accurate, transparent and ethical and fair
h. Recognizes creativity and non-traditional research processes as authentic tools of resistance
and transformation.

Builds solidarity by linking our work across levels and adding value as a
3
federation:
a. Evidence of rights violations at any level provide the basis for changes at other levels (local,
national, regional, international)
b. Knowledge from different levels supports us to identify pathways for change.
4
Builds strong research partnerships:
a. Through partnership, builds solidarity, power, knowledge and capacity between and within
ActionAid and different research actors, communities or organisations involved in research.
Is innovative and engaging:
5
a. Bold in message, audience appropriate and accessible in language, and with a clear change
strategy.
b. Useful and used in practically influencing change around ActionAid’s strategic objectives &
timely
c. Relevant and applicable at local, national and international levels, as measured by agreed
indicators.
Women in Bangladesh analyse their risks of flooding and disaster, with a view to reducing risk. PHOTO: TURJOY CHOWDHURY/ACTIONAID

Summary of checklists
Have you:
• Checked the extent to which your research is done by, with, for and about women? [see introduction]
• Familiarised yourself with the Research Signature and ActionAid’s Theory of Change and how it
applies to research? [see page 8]
• Used a feminist lens to consider the format of the research team, ensuring it’s not recreating negative
power dynamics? [see page 13]
• Been clear about your aims ensuring you are taking women, non-binary people and girls as the focus
of the analysis, and there is an agenda for social change? [see page 8]
• Developed your concept with the research team, involving all partners, so the process feels owned at
all levels, with an intersectional lens? [see page 19]
• Involved programme staff and partners in the reference group and checked on how information and
knowledge flows continue at a country level? [see page 13]
• Built in time for a participatory process including participatory research methodologies so local
knowledge is valued? [see page 23]
• Ensured there is budget for translation? [see page 25]
• Ensured there is budget for a set of community materials that can be used for different purposes?
[see page 42]
• Integrated the issue into a programme, and ensured Reflect Circles continue to take forward
discussions? [see page 25]
• Looked at ActionAid’s guidelines for Focus Group Discussions and check that time has been set aside
for these? [see page 44]
• Ensured a full ethics check (including with each partner institution) i.e. a risk assessment is complete
and continued regularly in case risk changes), permissions and clearances have been granted to the
researchers from the country where the research is taking place, and participants to the research are
going to be safe when the research is published and their mental and physical health is not at risk as
they participate? [see pages 33-40]
• Written a Research & Project Plan and uploaded it on the Research Tracker? [see page 27]
• Had sign off on your ToR? [see page 26]
• Drawn on an intersectional feminist lens to consider who is invited to, and the structure of your
inception meeting? [see pages 29-32]

• Checked you have the required protocols in place ahead of your research ie. are all parties aware
of the ActionAid Research Signature, SHEA and Safeguarding policies, Distress Protocol, Researcher
Wellbeing Guidelines, Data Protection Support and Research Participant Safety and Security
Guidelines? [see page 37]
• Discussed how you will make sure your research is rigorous; how you will use feminist analysis to
challenge unequal structures and how will you contribute to change? [see pages 37 & 48-50]
• Discussed intellectual property? [see page 35]
• Made sure informed consent is central to your approach? [see page 38]
• Built in capacity development required and mitigated negative power dynamics [see page 34]
• Assessed your data is rigorous, from a feminist ideology and analysed thoroughly? [see pages 20 & 48]
• Got informed consent for any images or videos used? [see page 38]
• Considered power dynamics, budget and time, especially the time and care roles of participants
when planning any focus groups? [see page 44]
• Used appropriate and political language? [see page 43]
• Checked your product(s) are communicable, and audience appropriate? [see page 42]
• Made your editor and designer aware of the ActionAid style guidelines?
• Acknowledged all research participants? [see page 52]
• Got your product(s) checked for libel? [see page 51]
• Got sign off on your product(s)? [see page 26]
• Branded your product(s) appropriately [see page 52]
• Used your Research Signature to assess and evaluate your research? [see page 53]
• Ensured all research participants have had the opportunity to engage with reflection and action
planning around near final product(s), and are confident to share collectively identified findings with
decision makers? [see page 53]
• Shared the final product(s) internally with a webinar to staff and on the internal communications list?
[see page 54]

Fatou Sarr demonstrates the salinity of the soil in Diamniadio Island, Senegal. Evidence of climate impact on women was documented and used to
lobby decision makers. PHOTO: CLÉMENT TARDIF/ACTIONAID
STEP ONE:
CONCEPTUALISING
RESEARCH
Conceptualising • A strategic webinar, workshop or shared
document with all potential project and research
research ideas participants (including the rights holders whose

reality the research is exploring): to discuss
evidence needs and brainstorm research ideas
Often what is defined as a priority for research in order to strategically target funding together.
comes from people with power and privilege and Where rights holders are involved this would
resources; these people define who and what is have to centre around a community meeting
‘researched’ and how. Where possible our research where there is a good connection to facilitate
equitable access.
should address this by using participatory methods
to engage with rights holders, affiliates and partners
• Using a federation approach whereby national
regarding what kind of research and evidence they
staff or partners may note where there are
feel is necessary to achieve joint objectives.
external opportunities for advocacy and
influencing and bring these to discussion with
There are different methods with which to co-create community groups to develop a strategy for
a research idea in an ActionAid context. Some shifting power before, during and after that
examples include: moment, including through research.

• Developing an idea based on rights holders’ positionalities of the team members impact
lived realities: for example, reflecting with rights team and research dynamics?
holders over a period of time during community
meetings and co-creating an idea which can • What are the age/ generational factors evident in
then be packaged for a funding opportunity. the team?
When there are a set of co-created research concepts, • Is the team anti-homophobic, anti-sexist and
teams might look to respond to calls for proposals. anti-racist?
• What are the language capacities of the team
Developing a
members?
research team
• Is there inclusivity in the team and if there is
someone with a disability will accessibility be
prioritized?
A feminist, intersectional approach should be used
in everything we do, including how we configure a • If the research is taking place where these is
research team and how the team works. conflict, has a conflict analysis been done and
does that show particular dynamics that need to be
For the makeup of the team, consider the following: considered when putting together a research team?
• What perspectives and experience are needed • What (other) steps need to be taken, if any, to
to ensure the research is as grounded as ensure this team is sufficiently diverse?
possible in the lived experience of rights holders
including survivors of abuse and exploitation ,
and to ensure that the research achieves the
impact it requires, safely (i.e. involving people in
communications, safeguarding and influencing)? For ways of working, it helps to set a framework
of common values and processes that you
• Who is proposed as the principal investigator (s)
all agree on. These should reflect ActionAid’s
or researcher(s)? Does the person/people have
values but they may be more specific to the
sufficient understanding of feminist research
research project. Consider as a group:
methodologies?12
Decision-making: How should decisions be

• What power and positionality does each
taken (democratically; by majority or by the
proposed member of the research team have?
principal investigator(s)) and by what formats
• Does the team have sufficient power and (e.g. in person, electronically), and with what
expertise to facilitate the work both inside and approaches (e.g. using participatory approaches
outside the federation? to interrogate issues).
• Are there any risks that the composition of the Informed Consent: To what extent are all
team reproduces power by i) preventing other, research participants engaged in an ongoing
more appropriate stakeholders from getting process of reflecting on what knowledge and
involved in knowledge generation, or ii) in their data is used, for what, and where, and the
ways of working more generally? implications of this? Is the informed consent
written or oral? Have options for anonymity
• What are the class and ethnicity dynamics of the been discussed? What strategies are in place
research team? i.e how do the socio-economic
12. An essential tool is the survivor - centred attitude scale for staff, partners and volunteers to determine ability and attitudes to undertake research.
Whilst the scale is for GBV and PSEA, it is a useful to determine viability to work with GBV and some it could be useful for feminist research.
Available here.

to ensure that research participants are but it is important to ask the questions. [see
comfortable to withdraw consent at any time? annex].
[see page 38].
Reporting back to key stakeholders: How does
Intellectual property: Have you discussed ActionAid plan to ensure findings are as useful
the intellectual property rights around the to rights holders as they are to other audiences
knowledge to be generated? There are various and what ways can findings best be shared and
options on this, and your final agreement will communicated? [see page 54].
depend on the nature of the relationship,
funding and the different partners. Note Sexual Harassment and Safeguarding in
however, that as long as intellectual property the research environment: What measures
is not shared between ActionAid and rights will ActionAid take to ensure independent
holders, then ActionAid risks replicating power researchers/research institutions act in full
over rights holders. [see page 35]. compliance with/adherence to ActionAid’s
sexual harassment policies and policies
Acknowledgement: Who is acknowledged within on safeguarding, and that researchers are
the knowledge generation process and how? For themselves protected and have attended
example are partners and research participants relevant security briefings? [see page 32]. As a
acknowledged? It is recommended to agree on crucial part of ActionAid’s feminist principles,
how publications will acknowledge people in a we promote a culture of zero tolerance towards
way that recognises all of the work put in (even harm, harassment, abuse and misconduct.
if non-written - for instance if you work with a
sign language interpreter to enable the research Do no harm: How will ActionAid and partners
team to speak with young girls who are hearing ensure that, when working in contexts of
impaired) [see page 52]. humanitarian crisis and conflict, research
takes place in adherence to the Humanitarian
Resources: What knowledge resources are the Principles adopted by the United Nations
research team accessing and to what extent General Assembly, the Code of Conduct of the
are these reproducing power? For example, to International Red Cross and Red Crescent and
what extent is the team relying on international the Humanitarian Charter, Protection Principles,
institutional data and analysis rather than Core Humanitarian Standard and Minimum
looking at the work of feminists, especially Standards, which are all laid out in the Sphere
feminist movements, activists, networks and Handbook?13
academics from the Global South?
Finance: How is the project financed and
Considering
how might this impact dynamics within and
outside the team? For instance, if ActionAid
has funding from a bilateral donor that for
example supports the IMF austerity agenda, and research partners
ActionAid is required to give the donor a copy
of the research, how then are the findings of It is often useful to work with research partners -
the research safeguarded from manipulation this can be anyone from universities, to multi-lateral
by the funders? In practice, research funding is organisations, to civil society organisations to
as equally open to scrutiny as all other project informal networks. ActionAid often uses consultants,
funding under ActionAid’s fundraising screening, who, whilst not partners in the strictest sense,
should be considered as such for the purpose of
13. Also see conflict related references in the further reading section.

this section. Working with others brings in a different want to agree on some key ideas as framed within
analysis, expertise and perspective. Working with the ActionAid Research Signature. Here are some
research partners can build joint capacity and can steps you can take to facilitate an understanding
increase solidarity. through an open discussion [see page 29 on
inception meetings for more detail]:
All actors involved need to be actively conscious
of power inequalities, actual or perceived, between • In advance of the discussion share ActionAid’s
ActionAid and research partners, between the Research Signature and values (from the
research team as a whole and between the research partnership policy)
participants and others engaging with or affected by
the research. • In advance ask potential partners to share any
documentation on their approach and values
It helps to have an open conversation from the very (these should be within their strategy) and
outset, to share ActionAid’s Feminist Leadership also look into their publications to gauge their
Principles and Research Signature, and to understand perspectives on key issues; for example, do
how potential partners view the content. This can they have a position on feminism? If yes, how is
be a helpful way to initiate discussions which might their feminism framed? Is there an intersectional
alleviate any challenges in advance. framing or does it homogenise women? How do
they define key development and humanitarian
If there is agreement between ActionAid and issues?
partners, it is advised to suggest co-producing
an MoU or contract which not only outlines the • Does the organisation have a SHEA and
research protocol (budgetary, logistical, conceptual, Safeguarding policy (e.g anti-sexual harassment
methodological and ethical considerations) as and bullying, whistleblowing, child safeguarding,
relevant to each country’s laws, but also lays out PSEA and anti-fraud and corruption)?
common values which all partners commit to
upholding. Setting out common values provides a • Does the organisation have a safe and
useful framework to refer back to, should any issues confidential complaints mechanism to report
emerge around upholding a feminist way of working. SHEA, safeguarding, misconduct and fraud?
This is vital, especially when mitigating against
homophobic, sexist and ageist researchers. • What is the ethical clearance process for the
organisation?
If you are working with one or more potential
partners; particularly if they are in different localities • Ask others that have engaged with them,
such as spread across the UK, Kenya and Malawi, confidentially, for perspectives on the
these advance discussions are all the more organisation’s ways of working. Is there respect
important since there are more complex discussions for differing opinions? Are the contributions of
needed around power, perspective, point of view different participants (men, women, younger and
(for example on colonialization and racism), sign off, older etc) and geographies given equal value
communications and attribution. in a process? Is there respect for joint decision
making, collaboration, and decentralised
ActionAid’s international partnership policy is helpful planning and design? Do they attribute findings
in that it outlines the principles that ActionAid would in a way that acknowledges all of the inputs of
expect to be shared. different stakeholders - especially women and
young people from the global south, or women
When exploring a research partnership which and young people from minority/marginalised/
promotes a feminist approach, it helps to consider excluded groups?
your compatibility on ideology and values.
• Does their organisation have a diverse staff-
You don’t need to share a completely identical base, including women and young people,
ideology with your research partner(s), but you’ll especially women and young people of colour

or from other marginalised groups in leadership and elitist, unaccountable institutions across the
positions? If not, consider exploring that world.15 The way that funding is channelled through
concern with them to facilitate an understanding universities accentuates their power, the power of
of how ActionAid views shifting power as academic research, and academics’ influence over
needing to be internal as well as external. development ideology. In addition, some are sites
of sexual abuse, rape and harassment of students,
• In the first meeting, clarify non-negotiable issues academic and support staff - see for instance the
such as their approach to feminist ideology and report by Dr Tamale on Makerere University16 and
gauge the organisation’s views; ask whether the the report of #TheTotalShutDown in South Africa
organisation is comfortable with the positions about campus rape and date rape.17 There are strong
they have seen that you’ve written.
movements to challenge this. For example, ActionAid
Liberia’s Safe Cities Campaign focused on reducing
• Discuss logistics and terms, for example, if
sexual harassment of female university students.
research assistants are used, then how are
they paid? If there are focus group discussions,
It is important to acknowledge these struggles, so
then will they take place in hours convenient
that ActionAid is able to manage relationships in
for women, young and marginalised people to
a way which upholds our values. Being aware of
access them?14
different institutions’ values and histories can ensure
• Emphasize the need for transparency and self- relationships remain strong. NGOs must be aware of
reflection. For example, be transparent about the academic pressure to publish, funding conditions
sharing budgets, knowledge and information; and academics’ audience.
about ensuring all decisions are made in a way
that shifts agency and power to rights holders, On the other hand, universities must be aware of
etc. Do not assume that all individuals within an the variety of knowledge demands on NGOs, the
organisation will necessarily espouse the values challenges of their organisational structure and their
and ideologies of the organisation need to move nimbly to get research for advocacy
and campaigns done in a short timeframe. The
• Be prepared to walk away if the potential most effective change is created when expertise is
partner’s values will not ensure, or at least strive brought together from a variety of actors.
to achieve, a feminist approach to working.
There are always other potential partners. ActionAid has positive relationships with several
academic research institutes globally and is trying
to build partnerships with feminist academics
Working with particularly.18 This brings huge advantages.

Not only do NGOs benefit from the in-depth
academic institutes subject knowledge, the experience of research

methodologies and the potential to reach different
audiences in solidarity. But - with an increased
While all institutions are inherently patriarchal, some
reliance on impact, universities also find a huge
universities make up some of the most patriarchal
14. For detailed checklists on how to ensure the logistics of convening people are safe, from an intersectional perspective, please see FRIDA’s (2018)
report: How Far Have We Come: A Review of Our International Convenings, Chapter 4: Recommendations.
15. See: Eboiyehi, C., Fayomi, I. & Eboiyehi, F., 201,) From exclusion to discrimination: Gender inequality in the senior management of Nigerian
universities. Issues in Educational Research, 26(2).; Tickle, L. (2017) Why Universities Can’t See Women as Leaders. The Guardian, 8 March.;
Brunsma, D.L., Placier, P. & Brown, E. (2012) Teaching race at historically White colleges and universities: Identifying and dismantling the walls of
Whiteness. Critical Sociology, 39(5).; Hanafi, S. (2011) University systems in the Arab East: Publish globally and perish locally vs publish locally and
perish globally. Current Sociology, 59 (3).
16. See: https://news.mak.ac.ug/sites/default/files/downloads/Makerere-Committee-Investigating-Sexual-Harassment-FINAL-Report-June2018.pdf
17. See: https://mg.co.za/article/2018-08-02-thetotalshutdown-memorandum-of-demands
18. Please ask for a spreadsheet of feminist researchers and research institutes. This list is important as it suggests who holds the institutional
relationship with individuals and organisations. Contacting through them or copying them ensures we’re not overloading any one individual or
organisation with requests.

value- add of working with NGOs and their partners staff. One model that has worked well is to look
- as it often facilitates connection with rightsholders. for a peer mentor, either a consultant or academic
ActionAid’s relationship with the Institute of researcher, who supports an internal project
Development Studies in Sussex, was cemented manager to support the research project. This means
by a ‘principles of partnership’ document and the knowledge stays within the organisation and
log of ongoing work. Also, a day-long exploratory there may be fewer negative power dynamics.
workshop, explored questions of power and privilege
so we could come to a collective understanding If you do work with a consultant, be deliberate
of our perspectives on knowledge production about your choice, seeking out feminists of colour
and evidence. This approach has been extremely as a priority. Ensure you involve the team in the
rewarding and has resulted in ongoing connections hiring process, and follow the HR procedure for
and knowledge sharing between funded projects. procurement and check your hiring process is
inclusive, both so all project partners are happy
ActionAid’s collaboration on the Rethinking Research with the consultant and so you are broadening your
Collaborative highlights some of the challenges search of consultants to reach new audiences in
and opportunities open to those exploring new the global south. You may find ideas for consultants
partnership: https://rethinkingresearchcollaborative. on the internal database of research consultants.
com/. Remember to ensure that you review the
consultant’s previous work; ask for references and
writing samples [some useful guidance is here]. And
Choose researchers ensure that the consultant is aware of the ActionAid

Research Signature, feminist ideologies, ActionAid’s
/consultants/a Theory of Change, ethics and safeguarding protocols.

[For more guidance see below page 32]
mentor
If the work is short term and a partnership isn’t
feasible, consider whether you have internal
Local researcher
capacity to do the work or whether you need to get
a consultant to support. Whilst a consultant may
selection
have a particular desirable expertise or knowledge, If you are recruiting local researchers, there are
and the cost can be resource efficient given several models to follow depending on the type
ActionAiders’ time is pressed, it has not always of research methodology and aims. As a non-
proved to be the best option. All too often we do negotiable, same gender researchers should be
not select or support our consultants sufficiently. used for interviews where possible, and always for
For example, we choose consultants who reproduce interviews with girls. Likewise, wherever possible
power, particularly colonial power, or who do not non-binary researchers will undertake interviews
have a feminist analysis, or we fail to sufficiently and with non-binary persons. For ethnographic
regularly check in with our consultants to ensure the research it is recommended in most cases that
work is on track. This has the result that their work the researcher is not from the same community
does not communicate our politics and messages (for trust and confidentiality reasons as well as to
as the project manager had intended. In addition, help the researcher’s ability to critically explore
the knowledge that is gained from doing the work participants’ responses). However, there may be
can be lost to the federation as the consultant exceptional cases for working with a researcher from
cannot realistically record all learnings. Finally, a the community. This should be discussed in detail,
consultant model, even with a brilliant consultant, considering the ethics and power dynamics. It is
can perpetrate the division between researchers and important to work with researchers who speak the
participants, as a consultant is another level away local languages, and who are able to understand, or
from research participants as compared to ActionAid empathise with, the experiences of participants in

selected communities and who are not involved with methodologies. In whichever case, researchers
conflict that the community may be experiencing. 19
must be aware of the ActionAid Research Signature,
feminist ideologies, ActionAid’s Theory of Change,
Researchers from more privileged ethnic or class ethics and safeguarding protocols. [For more
groups may be quick to judge and generalise. This guidance see page 37]. For ActionAid research,
may be especially the case when researching forms a local partner may be responsible for selecting
of discrimination or violence against women and researchers, this should only take place when there
girls, where beliefs, perspectives and practices is a really clear joint understanding of the research
may differ. For some participatory research it is aims and the ideologies and principles behind the
extremely useful to work with people from the research – so as to avoid reproducing negative
study community who can be trained in research power dynamics through the selection process.
Check list for conceptualising research

Have you:
• Familiarised yourself with the Research Signature and ActionAid’s Theory of

Change and how it applies to research?
• Used a feminist lens to consider the format of the research team and the
partnership potential?
• Logged your research fundraising concept onto ActionAid’s Contract Management

System?
19. For detailed discussion, please see: Sawas, A., Castan-Broto, V., Anwar, N.H. & Rehman, A,2019, Intersectional coproduction and infrastructural
violence: experiences from Pakistan. Journal of Community Development, 1-19., & Anwar, N.H. & Viqar, S., 2016 Research assistants, reflexivity
and the politics of fieldwork in urban Pakistan. Area, 49 (1).

Reflection-Action circles are the basis for identifying community problems and their causes, empowering right-holders and finding solutions. These
circles are the entry point for all the initiatives in the community. PHOTO: ACTIONAID NEPAL
STEP TWO:
DEVELOPING A
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Defining research •
drawing on intersectional framing?
Influence the development of new policy
aims ensuring it has a feminist framing?
Be clear how and why your research will support

It is important to include feminist analysis from ActionAid’s Strategic Priorities, affiliate objectives
the beginning of a research proposal. Consider the and those of other stakeholders. Identify if there’s
following questions. a need to modify / expand the research to meet
partner objectives. Cross check with ActionAid’s
Is the research trying to: theory of change; what shifts in power are planned
through the research process and practice?
• Set the agenda/change terms of debate/raise
awareness of an issue? i.e. is it challenging Take initial soundings internally, and externally (e.g.
patriarchy and power and offering alternatives? academics, supporters, policymakers). Explore other
• Highlight impacts of current policies and practice options (e.g. not doing research).

Develop a at the national, regional and local level affects
stakeholders’ lives and ambitions)
background and •
•
Livelihoods
Environmental context (taking into account how
context analysis environmental and climate justice issues and

shifts impact the lives of stakeholders, and their
ambitions, in different ways)
In order to develop a sound research project, which
• Conflict analysis, including conflict profile,
builds on existing knowledge, is sensitive to existing
causes, actors and dynamics and the impact of
issues and dynamics (e.g. conflict, protection issues,
the conflict on gender
political context) and upholds ActionAid’s feminist
• Safeguarding and SHEA risks, including
values, a background and context analysis needs
safeguarding and PSEA risk mitigation.
to be developed. This analysis needs to draw on
an intersectional feminist framing and outline how All sections of your context analysis should draw
gender, sexual orientation, race, class, migration on an intersectional feminist lens. This means
status and disability status play a role in society highlighting who has power and influence and when
and how history and institutions, locally nationally they have that power, how that power is used and
and globally serve to marginalise certain groups of its impacts on others. Doing this analysis will give a
people, including historically.20 full picture of the context, which will better inform
decision making.
This helps to map out and understand how power
circulates in society and the interrelationship The diagram below, which draws on the Rao and
between local and global including how power is Kelleher model21 is important and useful at outlining
reproduced in research processes. It will help you the different spheres of analysis necessary to
to see whose voices need to be included in your interrogate for feminist analysis.
research, and how to ensure the research supports
them to achieve their objectives towards civil and
human rights.
Individual
What to include in your context analysis:
Access to
• Demographics Internalised & control
attitudes, over public
• Gender norms values,
Family & private
• Socio-Cultural norms (including – how do practices resources
these norms interact with gender norms and
reproduce power hierarchies?) Informal Formal
• Institutional setting including: post-colonial or
historical context (i.e. how do those legacies
Socio- Laws,
affect stakeholders’ lives, development and cultural Community policies,
security today?); Legal setting (i.e. what are norms, resource
beliefs, allocations
the formal and informal legal frameworks and
practices
movements relevant to the issue you want to
work on?); Political setting (including how politics
Systemic
20. For details on what ‘context sensitive analysis looks like, see: Nagarajan, C. and Toogood, K.,2016 Guidance on Mainstreaming Conflict Sensitivity,
Gender and Social Inclusion in Research. Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme.
21. Aruna Rao and David Kelleher. 2002. “Unravelling Institutionalized Gender Inequality.” Gender at Work, http://www.genderatwork.org Also see:
Batliwala, S & A. Pittman, 2010 Capturing Change in Women’s Realities A Critical Overview of Current Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks and
Approaches, AWID, 2010 pg 18. https://www.awid.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/capturing_change_in_womens_realities.pdf

Who to include •
news; what do you want people to do/say/act?
bring in communications people right from the
in your context beginning.
analysis: Remember though, that the research itself should

achieve change through the empowering and
solidarity building reflection and action process. Ask:
Analysis must consider the dynamic identities that how are research participants seeing and visioning
exist within a society and how power and privilege change and taking agency?
shifts when identities overlap. For example, the
power and privilege of a woman differs depending See our guide, ‘Making Your Evidence Work for the
on her other identity markers such as ethnicity, Media’; for more information.
race, class, sexual orientation, migration status,
disability status and family position. Women are not
a homogenous group. Neither are ‘communities’,
so our analysis must consider power dynamics
also exist within households, communities and
Think about your
institutions. We must do this analysis with groups
who define themselves as feminist and those who
methodology
strive to defeat patriarchal power.
As outlined in the introduction, research that takes
To best understand the context in which we want a feminist approach can be empowering for all
to work, we must engage different stakeholders participants, and this fits with ActionAid’s Theory of
- prioritising women and young people from Change. Each step of the research process should
marginalised groups - at local and national level in be participatory. ActionAid reports must foreground
the analysis process using participatory processes affected people’s perspectives and must be planned
that are safe spaces for all and that enable and designed in ways that will strengthen people’s
disaggregation. A power mapping or spectrum of organisations in their own efforts to claim their
allies can be helpful tools to enable this analysis.22 rights. The bigger the project the more important this
principle becomes. Some ideas to consider include:
Be clear about your

• Involving communities in research planning,
gathering and analysing data. This can happen
through programme planning, where people
audience, including living in poverty will be outlining issues key to
them; or – if trying to understand questions
media around Gender Based Violence for example,
through ensuring survivors are leading the
If the research has advocacy as one of its aims, be evidence building. Once an area for discussion
very clear who the research is for, and what type of is identified, make sure the research questions
research and outputs are required to influence them. are flexible, allowing for more specificity to be
One way to influence policy makers is to shift public added by participants in a pilot.
opinion through the media.
• Run a pilot to test the methodology and research
Consider having multiple outputs; to ensure your question. This might involve for example, test
report is media friendly: interviews and test focus groups followed by
• make sure the language is simple (could a 14year feedback from all involved, including participants,
old understand it?) around whether the questions were clear,
• make sure you’re saying something new. New the time allocated was sufficient, the setting
data works brilliantly. appropriate and all ethical questions and
• make sure there’s an action attached to your questions of clarity were dealt with appropriately.
22. For tools see: http://www.networkedtoolbox.com/workareas/tools/19/ or https://beautifulrising.org/tool/power-mapping and https://

beautifulrising.org/tool/spectrum-of-allies

• Using participatory research methods at every tweets and social media posts so wider
stage of the project, including for data gathering; audiences can participate in the evidence.
participatory action-research approaches to
gather data can be empowering where they • Use a participatory process to engage people
ensure people living in poverty and exclusion living in poverty directly in the research
play an active role in planning, gathering and dissemination. Consider using participatory
analysing data. Consider using participatory video or talking heads and using the footage as
video, Photovoice, drama, poetry or talking heads a tool for influencing.
and using the footage as a tool for influencing.23
• Plan to capture and document relevant direct
• Noting the impact of conflict on research quotes, stories and images of women involved
and ensuring that there are safe spaces for in rights issues because these bring to life the
marginalised people to discuss and raise issues evidence by adding a human element that is
that emerge from conflict contexts, supporting more relatable to some audiences. Women and
their ongoing resilience efforts. young people must be represented fairly and the
appropriate permissions must be sought, and
• Ensuring conflict sensitivity; bringing an can be withdrawn. Follow the case study, video
understanding of how different participants to and photography guidance here. Ensure that
not reinforce or exacerbate existing tensions by you are getting permissions when you are taking
unintentionally prioritising majority groups. photos in the line with the Global SHEA and
safeguarding policies.24 The consent form is here.
• Noting that different methods for collecting
data can result in participants sharing SHEA and Identify what kind of research is needed to achieve
safeguarding complaints. Facilitators must be the objectives. Will there be one technique or
skilled to identify concerns and offer support a mixture of perhaps; desk study, investigative
and information to participants where SHEA and research, academic/ background study, case study,
safeguarding concerns are expressed, escalating comparative research, technical data modelling etc.?25
where necessary.
There are three main types of research: quantitative,
• Working in partnership with allies such as trade qualitative and mixed method. Quantitative is
unions, social movements, parliamentarians’ research which will use counting and statistics as a
groups, feminist movements, etc. in the analysis way of understanding a phenomenon. Qualitative
and dissemination of findings research aims to understand phenomena using
words rather than numbers. Mixed method research
• Organising feedback workshops to discuss uses both qualitative and quantitative indicators.26
findings directly with the communities from
whom data and case studies were collected Quantitative research elicits broad trends and
comparisons and provides data that can easily be
• Including ‘people-friendly’ dissemination used to measure change, to generalise and to inform
methods in your advocacy strategy, e.g. advocacy/policy work. It is usually assumed that
community radio broadcasts, drama and ‘comic- qualitative research is participatory, and quantitative
book’ versions of the report, to reach out to the research is not – and that this is reason to avoid
communities involved, and include infographics, quantitative methods. This is too simple a distinction.27
23. Concrete ActionAid projects which use this include: ELBAG, our unpaid care and domestic work, and baselines of safe cities work. ActionAid’s
Reflection-Action website and Reflect Facebook group are ways to connect with practitioners. ActionAid’s HRBA Women’s Rights Training Manual
also details some resources.
24. See: the general site here https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/SEC-SHEA-AAISHEAandSafeguardingResources . The main policy
is on this link: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/SEC-SHEA-AAISHEAandSafeguardingResources/_layouts/15/Doc.
aspx?sourcedoc=%7B229C48CB-7505-4009-BDB2-831D7AF9666C%7D&file=AAI%20Protection%20from%20Sexual%20Exploitation%20and%20
Abuse%20Policy%20-%202019.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true
25. See: Laws, S,2003 ‘Research for development: a practical guide’, London: Sage.
26. Adapted from ActionAid, Curtin University, Sydney University, 2014, Transitional Justice for Women Handbook
27. For example, the Alternative Statistics section of Communication and Power, (ActionAid, 2003) looks at how participatory tools can generate
qualitative evidence whilst an extractive and poorly run focus group may generate non-participatory qualitative evidence.

The tool you use for research will depend on your • To what extent should research project managers
audience and your project aims. It is important to (PMs) involve women and girls in LRPs and
recognise that for participatory tools to be used programme areas in the methodology design?
as evidence, their process must be rigorously and • To what extent should PMs involve women in
systematically recorded and reported. Community designing questions and in analysing results?
perspectives must be collected in the same way as
would hard data so that they are taken seriously and • How do research PMs support women in LRPs to
do more than support ‘proper’ evidence. use the results of the research for advocacy?
• What further considerations need to be made

Quantitative research is, however, less able to
where the research is taking place in an area
capture the richness of perspectives and experiences
experiencing conflict?
of research participants with different intersecting
identities; it may struggle to give richness to
• How can project managers ensure participation
subjective elements, emotions, opinions, beliefs and is a lived experience rather than being tokenistic,
individual experiences, and details of the context. especially where project managers are operating
It also does not explain how or why change takes at a distance, or with perceived power, such as
place, or the nature of power. Meanwhile, qualitative in the global north?
research elicits fine grained detail about experiences,
perceptions and meanings and can help explain Before looking at methodology, the first thing to
the quantitative data. It may be more effective for do is look at the research aims, audience and
finding out about sensitive and taboo topics relating target. In many cases, the drive for the research is
to violence and discrimination. Feminist researchers external; such as an event/opportunity to influence.
have been at the forefront of challenging reliance Analysis may show that the best way to influence
on quantitative methods and clarifying the benefits powerful actors is by using evidence generated by
of qualitative techniques for uncovering the lived affected people with strong visuals and stories. This
experiences of women and gender relations.28 A evidence can be gathered in a very extractive way
mixture of the both can be effective. (instrumental participation – see table below). For
example, by sending a photographer to interview
women – identified by ActionAid and partners
Whilst doing your research it is important to
as involved in a particular work area, without
consider your critical citation and references.
necessarily explaining the purpose of the work
Who we cite matters in shaping alternative and
with them, analysing together with them or sharing
representational narratives. This means being
other perspectives. However, where the community
conscious of the extent to which whether we are
members themselves are actors in the drive for
referencing northern based cis-male individuals and change - the momentum for change is more
institutions – framing just one world view. powerful and persuasive. It is important in this case
to draw on intersectional feminism to ensure that
research does not parcel all ‘community members’
Participation in an into the same box but rather acknowledge and avoid
reproducing differing dynamics.
ActionAid context It is important to note that participatory research does

not have to be ‘participatory action research’ (PAR).
For research to be empowering and to build It may use PAR techniques, but ActionAid often has
solidarity, it is likely to be of a participatory nature. specific donor requirements or time limits for the
But what level of participation will there be? What research which mean that it is not appropriate to have
does participation really mean? For ActionAid staff, such an open-ended research process. This is fine as
there are challenges as well as opportunities: long as we are clear about the approach we are taking.
28. See Jenkins, K.; Narayanaswamy, L. & Sweetman, C.,2019 Introduction: Feminist Values in Research. Gender & Development, 27 (3). : Brooks, A., &
Hesse-Biber, S.N. () An Invitation to Feminist Research. Sage.

The table below illustrates the different approaches:
Instrumental Participation Empowering Participation
A project group or consultant design and finalise the Women and young people are involved with shaping the
project. research questions.
Women and young people are involved with gathering

The consultant comes in to gather evidence.
evidence.
Analysis is undertaken by a project team in the national

Women and young people are involved with analysis.
office.
The communities never see what happened to the research

Women and young people are involved with dissemination
and would not be able to read the research even if they did
and communication of the research.
see it.
Women and young people are involved with lobbying,

Online Facebook and twitter campaigning is very active.
advocacy and campaigning to shift power.
The consultant is name checked, and country staff are

Everyone involved in the research is appropriately
acknowledged but not the LRP staff, partner staff or
acknowledged.
community groups or those interviewed.
Once the research is done a report is published and is

Links are made between the different actors involved in
used at high level lobby meetings outside the country and
the research,
outside the community.
Linking our work This knowledge will inform policy analysis and
advocacy for change.
across levels
The added value of being a federation is that we
Managing power in
can link across different levels. A common thread of
enquiry will be integrated across the research from
the research process
local through to national and international level. At all stages of the research, all participants must
Influencing should take place at all levels. be respected and fairly treated. ActionAid has a
Consider the following questions: responsibility to safeguard participants’ welfare,
minimize risks and assure that benefits outweigh
• Who are the local decision makers and how can risks. We will use methods and approaches to
we influence them? minimise power imbalances and help children to
• What sort of evidence is needed to influence express themselves, such as using art or creative
them and how should this be presented and methods. We will ensure that less powerful members
of communities, including women and those who
shared?
are not literate or who are living with a disability,
• Who do we need to influence at national level
participate in interviews. We must also be prepared
and what arguments and evidence can be used
to manage any trauma that arises, ensuring that a
to do so?
Distress Protocol is in place as well as strategies for
• How do we influence our international targets? Researcher Well Being. We may manage this through
• How can we best demonstrate and integrate the considering what sort of questions might trigger
analysis and evidence emerging at each level? emotional responses and either avoid these or
• What are the dominant narratives that need to prepare to support research participants with recourse
be challenged? to fully trained follow up counselling support.

ActionAid staff should be alert to their own power to influence different actors? Remember to involve
and positionality in the research process; whether all research participants in sharing and promoting
they are from a European affiliate, the Global research findings rather than ‘speaking for’ other
Secretariat or a country office, whether they are people. Remember to include your communications
budget holders, their academic qualifications, race, lead (and the Global Secretariat focal person for
gender, age, the language(s) they speak and their international publications) from the beginning of the
relationship with the research countries. process (sign off section gives more details). [See
page 26].
Risk
Plan your budget
Feminists across the world are at risk when their
voices are heard. Human Rights Defenders and See below the various aspects that need to be
organisations that support them must be acutely included in your budget when writing your research
aware of the deep dangers of being involved in plan. Most of the costs relates to a project with a
research processes, especially for participants defined output. However, research drawing on a
feminist approach aims to move beyond this model.
who are marginalised in countries where shrinking
Key aspects to budget for also include:
political space is leading to backlash from the
state, corporations and/or the military. Risks can be
Translation: If you want different audiences to read
greater in conflict situations, due to the proximity of
your output, may need to be translated – as a base,
armed conflict. Participants must be aware of the you’ll want to ensure that all research participants
additional risks of being involved and should be safe are able to access the research output (if not in
to pull out of the research at any time. In addition, writing, then in some other form). Translation costs
all researchers should be fully inducted in and have around £300/day. Allow 1 day per 2000 words for
signed onto SHEA, Safeguarding and Whistleblowing translation. You will have to build in translation costs
policies. [see page 38 for consent forms and for for your validation workshops, and to feedback work
further information about how to ensure that those to the communities you have worked with. You may
people who are at risk can see their voices heard in not want to translate a full report for this audience:
other ways through anonymity]. See the Safety and think about how best to communicate the work.
Security Guidelines for Research Participants, for
more detail. (Reflection) Workshops: To ensure a really thorough
reflection-action process you’ll want to be able to
hold meetings. See page 44 for costs associated
with community level meetings and focus group
Put together a discussions (FGDs). Consider participants’ workload,

unpaid care and domestic work responsibilities,
dissemination WASH and safety, and ensure they are fed if they’re
working over mealtimes.
strategy Peer review: As discussed above, in an attempt
to move away from a consultancy model, it’s
encouraged to bring in different perspectives to a
One of the biggest challenges in our work is ensuring
research project through peer review. You may need
that there is good research uptake. This needs to be to pay some reviewers for their time. Always ask
considered throughout the programme cycle, rather upfront.
than just at the end and should be framed in a
discussion around power and knowledge. Ask; what Lawyer: You must have a libel lawyer check your
knowledge will emerge? Who is best to share it? How publication prior to sign-off if you are making
to ensure that the knowledge can be presented in allegations about companies or individuals. See libel
multiple different ways for different purposes and guidelines for detailed advice.

deadlines be moved? Are there alternative hooks
Copy editors: £125 per ten pages or £300-350 per day that could be used? Account for people’s holidays,
festival periods and their unpaid care and domestic
Design of publication: £20-50 per page depending work. Consider sharing yours and others current
on type of publication, no of pages. Check you workload/responsibilities, field visit schedules,
have included the cost of the cover design, which is events and other travel so that you know what
sometimes a separate cost. is possible to do in the given timeline and when
Consultants/authors: £250 to £500 per day, people are available.
excluding travel and expenses.
Photographers: £300 to £400 per day, excluding

travel and expenses Check you’ve got
Printers: affected by many variables, consider not
printing at all, or printing only where a publication
the right people to
will be distributed. sign off
The figures above are 2019 estimates for Europe- Feminist research holds accountability high. The RACI
based procurement but will vary from country to (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed)
country. table in the Research and Publications Project plan is
useful so that everyone involved with the work is clear
where they fit in and when. Getting sign off sorted
Be clear about your from the beginning [your Tor/Research & Publications
plan itself must be signed off] means that there are
timeline no rushes and panics at the end. This means notifying
people well in advance about when to expect the
Too often research is rushed without consideration publication and keeping them updated on any shifts
given to the mental health of those involved. to the schedule. Refer to the latest sign off guidelines
Produce a timeline and circulate to everyone Sign off Guidelines Feb 2018 for details of how to
involved. Be realistic. Build in flexibility. Can complete the table below.
Responsible Project / commissioning manager
Accountable Person/people giving ultimate sign off
The ‘consulted’ group provides feedback according to their expertise. This falls into two sub-groups
1) core project team who need to comment in detail on the first and penultimate drafts of the report
and 2) group for wider consultation – to feedback only on first draft of report.
Consulted
Core project group (convened by project manager)
Group for wider consultation (to feedback only on first draft of report)
Informed Those who may be interested

Formalise your onto the ActionAid Contact Management System.29
Remember that if your publication fits the criteria for
thinking in a clear ‘international research’ then the ToR itself will need
federation sign off as well as the final product.
ToR/Research & International Research is defined by Action Aid as
Publications Plan either/or:
1. Taking positions on the actions and policies of

Maintaining the principle of accountability and international or multi-lateral actors;
transparency, use the Research & Publications Plan 2. Focuses on more than one country;
template. Upload this onto the research tracker 3. Coordinated by an international team (AA staff
or share it with the Global Secretariat Research and partners);
advisor, who will then support you. If you are 4. To be used for significant advocacy and media
seeking research funding, you may also wish to log work in more than one country.
Check list for developing a research proposal

Have you:
• Checked the extent to which your research is done by, with, for and about women?
• Been clear about your aims, ensuring you are taking women, non-binary people
and girls as the focus of the analysis, and that there is an agenda for social change?
• Drawn on an intersectional feminist lens for your concept?
• Involved programme staff and partners in the reference group and checked on
how information and knowledge flows continue at a country level?
• Built in time for a participatory process so local and territorial knowledge is

valued?
• Ensured there is budget for translation?
• Ensured there is budget for a set of community materials that can be used for
different purposes?
• Integrated the issue into a programme, and ensure Reflection-Action circle take
forward discussions once the specific evidence gathering is complete?
• Looked at ActionAid’s guidelines for Focus Group Discussions and check that
time has been set aside for these?
29. The Contract Management System (CMS), a system for logging funding proposals so fundraisers can access then and project managers can track
progress, is here: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/cms#/

• Ensured a full ethics check (including with each partner institution) i.e. a risk
assessment is complete, permissions have been granted to the researchers from
the country where the research is taking place, and participants to the research
are going to be safe when the research is published and their mental and
physical health is not at risk as they participate?
• Ensured that risk assessment factor in SHEA and safeguarding including child
safeguarding, PSEA and anti-sexual harassment and bullying?
• Ensured that researchers are trained and have the skills to receive complaints
relating to SHEA and safeguarding?
• Ensured that all researchers who are recruited for research purposes, undertake
mandatory safeguarding background checks?

Bringing together agroecology and resilience project participants from the Gambia and Senegal. PHOTO: CLÉMENT TARDIF/ACTIONAID
STEP THREE:
INCEPTION WORKSHOP
Preparing a research bring and to acknowledge the challenges and
opportunities that the partnership brings (e.g.
inception workshop •
positive power dynamics)
To confirm that the team have the right research
question, and the appropriate methodology to
For an effective partnership, whether the research is
respond to the question.
with an academic partner, or with multiple countries
• To begin to firm up project logistics
as partners, it is recommended to have an inception
• To begin to firm up contracts
workshop.
Things to think about when planning an inception

Aim of an inception workshop:
meeting:
The main aim of an inception workshop is to prepare
the team for a new project. This means: • Consider when you hold the meeting, participants
unpaid care and domestic roles, travel schedules,
• To ensure that each partner understands the safety plans and their work plans. Respect all
need for and shares the vision of the project, participants’ other work as you initiate this
the key ideologies, terms & concepts. project. Risk assessment should consider travel
• To ensure that each partner is aware of others’ plans and if travel is considered safe.
interests, motivations, backgrounds and politics. • The pace of the meeting depends on how well
• To ensure it is clear what value each partner will you know each other and your history. It is

worth making time to get to know each other
at first. For example, start off with sharing a
joint understanding of why the research should Tools you can use in
happen (tool 5), share your motivation for
engagement (tool 1), your different ambitions for
a research inception
the research (tool 2), and your different vision meeting:
for research success (tool 9) (all tools in box).
• Moving straight to logistics and contracts misses 1. Motivation for engagement
out an important ‘getting to know you’ stage. Aim: Find out why different people want to be
Disagreement can then take place over small involved.
decisions which could be avoided if there Methodology: Ask everyone to write on a post-it
was a better understanding of different actors’ note the two reasons they want to be in the
perspectives. In a two-day meeting, these project. These are posted and silently clustered.
discussions could wait until the second day. Are there any outliers? Why? Where are the
• If you’re proposing new tools in the main clusters?
methodology, you could test these in the
inception workshop so that all participants
2. Purpose for research
Aim: There are different reasons for research;
experience the tool.
this exercise clarifies the purpose of the
• Think carefully about who is at the meeting
particular research for participants involved.
and who is not. For example, which of the
Methodology: Elicit the different reasons for
‘layers’ of staff will you involve (Country
doing research i.e. monitoring, evaluation, theory
Director, Programme Manager, Partner)? What
building, explanation, innovation, capacity
does this mean in terms of their perceived
development. Draw a line star with as many
and actual participation in the project? What
lines as reasons. Write the reason at the end
power dynamics are in the room as a result of
of each line. Ask participants to put a dot as to
participants’ roles and intersecting identities? If
what they think THIS research is for. Observe
some participants are unable to attend, how can where there are clusters and outliers.
their absence be mitigated?
• Have discussions around power between the 3. Unpacking the power dynamics
different participants and their organisations (see between different actors - role play
tools 3 & 4) and how this then affects roles (tool 8) drama
• Prepare for difficult issues. If there is conflict, Aim: To understand how it feels to be in
then frame the discussion within the parameters someone else’s shoes in a research project.
of ‘things to discuss and things to agree’. You do Methodology: Each person is told to swap
not have to agree on everything but know your around roles i.e. the academic partner plays
bottom line – for example, ActionAid’s Research the LRP participants, the LRP participants play
Signature and Theory of Change. the national NGO, the national NGO plays the
• The length of an inception workshop will depend local community head, the donor plays the
on the type of project. Two days is an average audience etc. Give each person prompts of two
length for a single country project with a national lines and a scenario. For example, the scenario
advocacy element. Bigger project inceptions is the mid-term review, and the prompts say
may take a week. It is a worthwhile investment. for the NGO; the donor wants more reporting,
• Training on ethics, safeguarding and feminist for the academic; the local researcher has not
leadership are useful sessions to add to an provided transcripts; the NGO, the academic
inception workshop. Training is a way to build is writing research that doesn’t resonate with
team dynamics and explore the project area in a any of the policy demands. Ask participants to
non-confrontational manner (tool 6 is a starting role play the meeting. Afterwards ask them to
point). observe what happened and why, note down
• Use your time together now to develop an the negative aspects on one column on a
advocacy plan (tool 7).

flip chart and then write down principles and tools here. For example; Problem tree analysis,
how to achieve them on the second column. critical path analysis, campaign power analysis.
These should relate to the ActionAid Research See: ActionAid, 2015, People’s Action in
Signature. Ask people to give examples based Practice. pg 81 & pg 82. And the Reflection-
on their own experience. Action website (here).
4. Who has the power? 8. Roles and relationships

Aim: Find out the different sources of power in Aim: To jointly identify project deliverables,
the research core (and extended) group. timelines and interdependencies, agreeing RACI
Methodology: Ask the participants to move for main deliverables.
without talking, organising themselves into Methodology: The facilitator (has already
lines on a spectrum, according to the following prepared) or elicits the key results and
questions. ‘How much control do you have over milestones and writes these out on cards and
the budget?’ ‘How much can you shape the puts on floor or wall as a ‘river’ or timeline.
direction of the project?’ ‘To what extent will the As a group exercise, participants draw lines
project be able to go ahead without me’ etc... (or stick string) between the results and key
milestones identifying their interdependence.
5. Analysis tools Each participant then has to list the work they
Aim: To check understanding of the need for the need to do to ensure the different elements
research and ensure a common understanding happen and their commitment to the group.
of the issue by doing an analysis of rights Each participant reads out their individual
denials, resource and power allocations or commitments and fills in any gaps if other group
actors and institutions. members have additional requests. [For an extra
Methodology: Force field analysis, Venn element, you could adapt the river of life for the
diagrams, stakeholder mapping, relationship research project, which lists then obstacles, fast
mapping, problem tree, chappati diagram. currents, hazards etc. This may provide good
See: ActionAid, 2015, People’s Action in elements of discussion. See the Reflection-
Practice pg 213-216 (here), ActionAid, 2013 Action website for more details.
Communication and Power (here) and the
Reflection-Action website (here). 9. Visions of what a success would
be?
6. Women’s rights Aim: To identify a joint vision for success.
Aim: To check understanding of the need for the Methodology: Participants lie on the floor and
research and ensure a common understanding the facilitator asks them to close their eyes. The
of the issue of women’s rights. facilitator asks participants to vision the project
Methodology: You can choose from several in five years’ time, to think about how they
tools here. For example, practical and strategic see it, how they describe it to others and how
needs, access and control profile, time analysis, others see it. The facilitator asks participants to
problem tree, PPP analysis (personal/private/ imagine having a conversation with friend where
public & formal/informal dimensions, priority they are excited about the project and describe
group analysis. the different steps to get there (only thinking
See: ActionAid, 2006, Power, Inclusion and of positives). The facilitator asks the group to
Rights based Approaches; the ActionAid Gender allow other thoughts into their mind; are there
Equality and RBA Resource Kit (here). And the negative ones? How are these chased away?
Reflection-Action website (here) The facilitator asks participants to imagine their
pride and the group wrap up and how that
7. Advocacy planning feels. Is anything needed to make that happen?
Aim: To develop an advocacy plan. Participants are then asked to share any
Methodology: You can choose from several reflections – these are added to the timeline.

10. SHEA and Safeguarding: Methodology: The participants all receive a
Aim: To ensure that all research activities briefing on SHEA and Safeguarding, using the
reduce the incidence and likelihood of Sexual mandatory training. The facilitator to make use of
Harassment, exploitation and abuse. To ensure interactive methodologies such as agree/disagree/
that all research activities increase reporting of strongly agree/strongly disagree scenarios, role
SHEA and safeguarding concerns. play exercises, scenarios and videos.
Check list for an inception meeting

Have you:
• Used an intersectional feminist lens to consider who is invited to, and the
structure of your inception meeting?
• Ensured you are considering how to mitigate any negative power dynamics in
your meeting and discuss power openly?
• Ensured you have your protocols ready?
• Developed a risk matrix to mitigate against SHEA and safeguarding?
• Briefed all participants on the complaints mechanisms?

Community Campaigners discussing strategy. PHOTO: BETHANY CLARKE/ACTIONAID
STEP FOUR:
CEMENTING A
RESEARCH PROTOCOL.
SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS
Researcher training Researchers also need a full briefing in this Research
Protocol, including research ethics and child
protection procedures to be implemented during the
All researchers need to be clear about and familiar research, and any other procedures, including for
with ActionAid’s Research Signature, feminist security situations, should be identified. Researchers
ideologies and ActionAid’s Theory of Change. need an opportunity to practise with reflection
Researchers involved in research on gender their use of the research instruments. Support
discrimination and violence need extra training mechanisms need to be in place during field
and support. This should include an orientation on research to help researchers manage their safety
concepts of gender inequalities, violence, gender and wellbeing and to monitor progress and quality
and children’s rights. The training needs to include of the research. This document is helpful: Social
opportunities for researchers to reflect on both their Research Association, ‘A Code of Practice for the
own prejudices and experiences and consider how Safety of Social Researchers’:
these might affect the quality of their work.

Capacity How can you ensure these structures are
transparent, accountable and feel safe for all
development •
participants?
How, and how often will you communicate
with each other in an inclusive and accessible
Research can involve some capacity development of manner?
all research partners. Capacity development • How will you share and store information and
as a concept can be extremely problematic and knowledge generated through the work?
infused with power, especially where funding • How will you continue to dialogue with each
demands it, and where the assumption is northern other once the product has been published/
universities or related academics are building released? Often follow-up (e.g. from media or
other civil society organisations) continues
the capacity ‘of’ researchers in the global south.
beyond the launch date.
ActionAid understands that each participant to the
• How will you deal with any issues around power,
research process brings unique knowledge, analysis
or contentious issues as a group?
and experience and that all participants in the
process will learn from the one another.
You could consider:
Key questions to ask are:
• Capacity for whom? By whom? Why? A diverse and inclusive steering committee which
• Does the capacity development element makes sure the project is on track with the mutually
replicate power dynamics? agreed goals. This committee would include
• What is the aim of the capacity development? members of key stakeholder groups. For example,
Is it an end in itself or does it take place for the if the research focus is young people, then ensure
purposes of the research only? there is a representative from a youth movement
• Who is making the decisions about what capacity on the steering committee, someone who has the
development is involved and who is involved? trust of their network. This would be a global group
and would ensure that reflection-action linkages are
made between the national and global analysis.
How will the work National project teams which would ensure that
the research is embedded within the programme
be collaboratively cycle, clearly contributing to ActionAid’s goals in the
federation and country level and ensuring and that
managed? reflection-action linkages are made between local
and national level. These would involve programme
staff, women’s rights staff, MEL staff and policy
Once you have established that you’ll bring added
colleagues. Make sure the structures are cemented
value to the work by working together, and have
with clear ToRs.30
agreed on principles for taking the work forward, and
shared goals, you need to decide on the structures
that will help you carry out the work to ensure that
you remain accountable to each other. The type of Collective,
collaborative working
relationship and the systems you chose to support
it, will depend on the type of partner; whether they
& peer review

are an individual or a research institute (policy
centre, think tank, university etc.).
• What project structures will support you to Collective working is a core part of a feminist
achieve your project goals more effectively? approach, which acknowledges the potential value
30. The Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria and Tanzania project has some excellent templates for such work.

all actors bring to a reflective knowledge building jointly, so there is buy in and support from all
process, both through their analysis and through participants. Given that there will be a negotiation
their links with other networks. In addition, working between the different partners, it is important you
with others fits within our theory of change, as it can enter into the discussion with your ideal asks, but are
enable solidarity building and deeper partnerships. clear what your non-negotiables are.
Ensure a feminist researcher comments as part
of the review team, but all of the team - which There are different elements within an MoU.31 The
might involve between 2-4 people each with a most controversial elements are outlined below:
slightly different expertise - should have a feminist
perspective on whatever issue is at stake.
Intellectual property
When you send out your ToR, consider who will
form your peer review panel and involve them right Where organisations do not co-own intellectual
from the beginning. If a peer reviewer only sees the property with communities researched then negative
final product and has comments on the structure or power dynamics continue to be perpetrated. This
nature of the research, it is hard to take on feedback. co-owning relationship is the model we need to
If they are involved in the design of the project there move towards. Unfortunately, for legal reasons this
is scope, and this will result in a better process is not always simple. The following are examples of
and product. Give reviewers a heads up in plenty wording that can be included:
of time before draft is sent team. Get a ‘lay-person’
to read the research, in particular the summary, to • Option 1: you jointly share, with all participants,
ensure that it is easily communicable. Make sure and are able to use freely all emerging data
you acknowledge your peer review team. Consider subject to an agreement around how data is
asking one to write a foreword. Never assume that used i.e. you give all parties 30 days advance
your peer review team will be able to review without notice of any new publications etc…
being remunerated. Be upfront about this and ask
at the outset whether they would expect to be paid • Option 2: you agree that the research lead
or would be able to do the work as part of their pro organisation will own the intellectual property
bono time, if they have any. of new data, case studies and video emerging
from the project. However, the lead organisation
gives other organisations irrevocable perpetual
non-exclusive, royalty free licence to use the
What other issues work. Again, this may be according to set
guidelines such as a timeframe within which
might arise as you one organisation or group of people must give
jointly sign a MoU?

the other to review any potential emerging
publications.
Your agreement to work together will be sealed with a

MoU. Issues of power come out most strongly when Data storage
you look at ownership of research data and research
attribution. The level of complexity will depend on the A contract with a research institute may stipulate
funding mechanism. It is useful to have discussions that research (institute) partners should destroy
around these particular areas in advance. Ensure that unused data six months after the project to ensure
you develop your MoU and any ensuing documents that it was not used in a way which might breach
31. The MoU might include: grant agreement liability i.e. who signs the contract for AA; Indemnity insurance; Health and Safety of personnel;
Provision of equipment and admin support for personnel; Intellectual property rights; Copyright; Termination processes; Confidentiality; Dispute
resolution process. There are examples on Sharepoint: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/Research

intellectual property rights. As per the overarching Delivery
SHEA and Global Safeguarding policy, ActionAid
will ensure that all data collection process are Have you discussed what happens if one of the
in compliance with local and international data partners does not deliver? How will you ensure you
protection laws when gathering, storing, or sharing understand the root causes for this, considering how
any data relating to individuals involved in SHEA and your own actions and power might have impacted
Safeguarding incidents, and will follow the guidance on the project? An open and honest approach
should avoid all communications breakdown.
on retaining data on incident management that is
However, if there are challenges, consider how will
issued by the Global SHEA and Safeguarding Team.32
you retrieve existing data: Ensure you write non-
delivery into your research protocol.
Attribution
Other key documents
Have you discussed how you will organise attribution
of any separate publications emerging from the The following publications are key to the effective
joint research? ActionAid does not normally give working together. Each might be accompanied by
author bylines, but attributes research to the further guidance, and where an item is complex,
organisation, i.e. ActionAid, and the dynamics of there may be separate documents entirely. The
acknowledgement are on page 52. Branding and co- specifics within these documents will depend on
branding is per the brand guidelines. See section on whether ActionAid is the lead agency, where the
funding is coming from and the requirements of the
audience – below.
donor. Some donor funded projects will require other
documents. Sample documents can be found here.
Nirmala Mahatara, from Nepal, is a community activist who is central to supporting the reduction of violence against women and girls in her area,
through engagement in the Women Rights Forum. PHOTO: ACTIONAID
32. Action Aid International, 2019, SHEA and other safeguarding concerns overarching policy, page 11

What Why What will this document contain?
- Research question(s)
- Study approach
- Research principles
- Methodologies
- Timeframe
- Budget & Donor requirements
- Outputs
- Audience
- Change desired
To outline how partners will carry - Knowledge management
out the research in ways which - Quality criteria
Research protocol
are high quality, rigorous and - M&E framework
ethical. - Ethics and safety (power, confidentiality,
consent, safety)
- Researcher selection
- Project structures and groups
- International project accountability team
- Roles and responsibilities of partners
- Retrieving data
- Data protection guidelines
- Research Safety and Security guidelines
- Distress Protocol
To ensure that there is clarity,

This is an ActionAid agreed and signed off set
Style Guidelines https:// from the beginning on how joint
of guidelines providing potential designers with
styleguide.actionaid.digital/ branding would look on joint
recommendations for how joint branding looks.
publications
To ensure that all partners, This is a board approved safeguarding policy

programmes, research activities and forms the overarching safeguarding policy
is free from harm, exploitation which includes the following:
ActionAid International Global and abuse. To ensure that risks AAI Child Safeguarding Policy 2019
SHEA, Safeguarding and other assessments are in place to AAI Protection from Sexual Exploitation and
concerns overarching policy mitigate against harm, abuse Abuse Policy 2019
and exploitation and to increase Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse
the likelihood of reporting (SHEA) at work Policy, 2019
concerns related to SHEA and AAI SHEA, Safeguarding and other concerns,
safeguarding. overarching policy.
How can I ensure Sampling: Sampling refers to the process by which

the sample is selected from the population. There
my research is are several different methods of sampling that may

be used. This is one of the important ways in which
rigorous? Sampling a research project’s credibility and rigour is judged.

The sampling method must be appropriate to the
and controls study. Purposive sampling refers to looking for a
specific mix of people and is not a random sample.
Decision makers and influencers can use their power to Organisations may use their existing networks to
undermine and discredit other’s evidence. However, by find their sample, or do snowball sampling, where
following good research protocol and methodology, as they ask existing contacts to seek others in their
outlined in this document, your research will be rigorous. own networks. Consider the size of the sample
There is no reason why quantitative and qualitative required to convince your audience to act and
research, and research involving NGOs cannot be avoid extrapolating from your sample i.e. Use: ‘the
rigorous if it is carefully carried out. Documenting the majority of women in our sample say’ rather than
methodology can be a helpful way to mitigate critique: ‘the majority of women in Vietnam say’.

Controls: The one thing that we tend not to get involved
with however, is control cases (where we compare Disclosure and
two situations, one where there is an intervention
based on a hypothesis such as that having young safety of participants
people on a school council makes the school a
more inclusive environment and the other where Confidentiality and anonymity are key aspects
there is no intervention). There are methodological and of informed consent and should be maintained
ethical challenges to this. For example, methodologically throughout the research, including during analysis
it is ethically challenging to do research where no and reporting. Confidentially implies non-disclosure
intervention takes place and it is challenging to of information altogether; a research team might
control for programmes that may be implemented by hear others’ views but must not publish the views in
others in control areas. A baseline is recommended any circumstances. Anonymity is where a research
with thorough analysis to ascertain project impact.
team hears others’ views, and those people give
consent for the views to be published as long as
their name is not published, by filling in an ‘informed
Informed Consent33 consent’ form. The researcher may use an alias, if
consent is given. In all cases it is good practice try
There are huge risks to research participants as they to ensure privacy during interviews so that people
take part in research processes, both as they meet feel comfortable to answer questions, particularly
with research teams and as joint analysis is published. questions of a sensitive nature. At the same time,
This is exacerbated when negative power dynamics ensure that participants feel safe being in a private
between researchers and the research community space, and ensure participants can ask for support if
result in people’s perspectives, words and photos into they feel vulnerable speaking unaccompanied.
the public domain without joint analysis. ActionAid
will make every reasonable effort to prevent and Research questions should be shared with local SHEA
mitigate risk caused by our own activities, in line with and Safeguarding focal points and or the Global SHEA
our approach to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and and Safeguarding team (safeguarding@actionaid.org).
Abuse (SHEA) and Safeguarding. Informed consent The SHEA and Safeguarding focal point will work
is one example of this. It means that all participants, with the research team to develop risk assessments
including children, will be given clear information about
(for example, for child protection interviewers and
the project, to be able to choose not to participate,
staff must not be alone with a child) to maintain safely
and to withdraw at any time. Written consent for
for all. Reflecting SHEA and safeguarding policies
pictures that will be used in project documents must
provisions on data protection: ActionAid will ensure that
also be obtained by the relevant parties [all those with
it complies with local and international data protection
joint intellectual property, planning to use data – see
laws when gathering, storing, or sharing any data relating
page 35]. The consent form is here. Action Aid’s Child
Safeguarding Policy states that parents should provide to individuals involved in SHEA and Safeguarding
consent when any activities are carried out with incidents, and will follow the guidance on retaining data
children. We should be aware that in some cases this on incident management. Data will be stored in a way
could lead to parents telling children how to participate so as not to identify individuals’ responses by coding
in the research or not consenting to their participation questionnaires / participants and schools/ communities,
(possibly skewing results if these children may be at and by securing data so that only those who need to
more risk of gender discrimination or violence). access the data for the project can do so.34, 35
33. When we talk about informed consent our protocols require us to ensure this is given freely, without manipulation or coercion, and in advance
of evidence collection. However, we do not use the term ‘Free, Prior Informed Consent’ as the term and principle has its history in indigenous
people’s struggles for their recognition and rights to land - as enshrined in the ILO convention 169, amongst others. For research, similar
protocols are used to ensure that engagement between different people involved in research is meaningful, respectful and ethical. At every stage
of a research process, research participants must have a full understanding of how their knowledge, analysis and personal information may be
used; and the possible outcomes, risks and benefits being engaged with the research.
34. More information on Data Protection available here: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/Research
35. See your safeguarding policies: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/Safe/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx and Data
Protection Policies, as well as Security and Safety Guidelines, Distress Protocol and Research Well being guidelines. https://actionaidglobal.
sharepoint.com/sites/Research

Researchers may find that they are told confidential As part of our survivor-centred approach, survivors/
information, particularly if participants share SHEA complainants can choose if, when, and how to make
and safeguarding concerns. There may be a tension a report and decide whether they want ActionAid to
between maintaining confidentiality and passing take formal action. There may be occasions where
on information when a researcher considers the ActionAid has a duty of care to respond even if the
individual, particularly a child to be at risk of harm. survivor/complainant does not want to take forward
In line with ActionAid’s SHEA and Safeguarding action. This will be managed on a case by case basis,
approach, if an individual reports an experience or following clear risk assessments, and the safety
suspicion of sexual violence (exploitation or abuse, and wellbeing of the survivor/complainant will be
including child abuse) or suggests that someone’s life paramount throughout.38 If participants elect to share
concerns during research activities, facilitators must
is in danger in any way then this must be reported
be trained to facilitate safeguarding conversations
through the appropriate lines (outlined in ActionAid’s
and provide support to survivors.
SHEA and Safeguarding Overarching Policy and Child
Safeguarding Policy). This includes reporting to the
Some researchers have used their position of
local SHEA and Safeguarding Focal Point, the Country
power for personal gain. In our research we must
Director, and/or the Global SHEA and Safeguarding
be constantly vigilant to any practice which is not
Team.36 All efforts must be made to explain to the
within ActionAid’s Code of Conduct and informed by
individual why the information must be reported but
ActionAid’s feminist leadership approach as outlined in
that ActionAid will do everything possible to protect the core SHEA and Safeguarding policies. Any concerns
the individual and ensure their anonymity. In line relating to this can be raised to the Global SHEA and
with the ActionAid Code of Conduct, and as per the Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@actionaid.org)
overarching Global and SHEA Safeguarding Policy
(2019) if anyone has concerns that any individual If ActionAid staff, including research partners have
has been or is at risk of being abused, exploited, SHEA or Whistleblowing related concerns, they can
or harmed in any way they must report this report directly to:
immediately in line with the reporting procedures
outlined below. However, in line with ActionAid’s • ActionAid Global SHEA and Safeguarding Team
survivor-centred approach, individuals do not (safeguarding@actionaid.org)
have to report their own experience of sexual • ActionAid Whistleblowing Service
harassment, exploitation, or abuse.37 (whistleblowing@actionaid.org)
Survivor/
Complainant
People can report to
any of the functions
below in-person, via
email, or telephone
Global SHEA and ActionAid International

Safeguarding Team SHEA Safeguarding Country/Executive Whistleblowing service
(safeguarding@actionaid.org) Focal Point Director (whistleblowing@actionaid.org)
Line Manager HR representative
36. See the checklist – Safeguarding and SHEA considerations conducting needs assessments for further details.[link Lois/Marni]
37. Ibid
38. Ibid

rights holders, community members or others
All partners, staff and researchers have the following including participants of a research project.40
responsibilities: • A staff member or other representative suspects
that someone external to ActionAid (e.g. a
• A rights holder or community member or Community Leader or Researcher) is or may be
participant in a research process alleges that about to carry out sexual exploitation or abuse
they or another person is experiencing or at towards rights holders, community members, or
risk of experiencing sexual exploitation or others.41
abuse - whether carried out by ActionAid staff
and representatives, or others, in the research ActionAid should also acknowledge, recognise and
activity.39 take steps to mitigate the deep dangers to partners,
• A staff member or other representative suspects beneficiaries, rights holders of doing research in
that someone connected to ActionAid and its the environments where there is shrinking political
research partner, is or may be about to carry space. A thorough risk analysis is key, as is recourse
out sexual exploitation and abuse towards to legal support.
Check list for cementing a research protocol,

safeguarding and ethics:
Have you:
• Checked you have the required protocols in place ahead of your research
partnership. Are all parties aware of the ActionAid Research Signature, SHEA and
Safeguarding policies, Distress Protocol, Researcher Wellbeing Guidelines, Data
Protection Support and Research Participant Safety and Security Guidelines?
• Decided how to collaboratively manage your work?
• Discussed how you will make sure your research is rigorous?
• Discussed intellectual property?
• Made sure informed consent is central to your approach?
• Ensured that you have completed a SHEA and Safeguarding risk assessment?
Planned to hold risk assessments and monitoring regularly as needed in case
risks change? Checked the risk assessment includes a feminist analysis of girls,
persons with disabilities, gender non-confirming and non-binary persons who
could be exposed in research?
39. Action Aid International, 2019, SHEA and other safeguarding concerns overarching policy, page 6
40. Ibid
41. Ibid

• Checked the risks associated with the location of research activities; are they
safe and how will participants travel to research activities? Are there other ways
participants could be exposed to harm, abuse and exploitation?
• Built in capacity development required and mitigated negative power dynamics?
• Planned to ensure participants who come into contact with research activities,
will not be at risk of abuse, harm and exploitation?
• Put systems in place to report and respond to allegations of abuse, exploitation

and harm, in the research process.
• Put rights holders at the centre of the research?
• Ensured your methodology empowers survivors of abuse, violence and

exploitation and if research relates to survivors of violence, abuse and
exploitation, how are you including survivors in the design and implementation of
the research?
• Incorporated the learnings of previous research programmes including research

that was focused on women and girls?
• Created safe spaces for women and girls to talk through issues that affect them?
• Ensured your research methodology has a Standard Operating Procedure for

collecting data from survivors of abuse, violence and exploitation?42
42. Based on recommendations from the “Gender and Development Network: Safeguarding and Beyond, Recommendations from the Gender and
Development Network”, May 2018, available at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/536c4ee8e4b0b60bc6ca7c74/t/5b02df478a922d27418ba
1f9/1526914889870/Safeguarding+and+Beyond+recommendations+May+2018.pdf

The launch of evidence around women’s unpaid care work, climate resilience and agroecology as part of the Promoting Opportunities for Women’s
Empowerment and Rights (POWER) project in Adaklu Waya community in the Volta Region of Ghana. PHOTO: DEBORAH LOMOTEY/ACTIONAID
STEP FIVE:
PUBLICATIONS AND
IMPACT
Consider a variety • A 10-page or less policy document to reach
a policy audience (10 pages will take about
of outputs 30mins to read, anything longer may not be

wise).
• A public seminar to share knowledge and jointly
Traditionally, research is a linear process with
reflect and create an action plan.
evidence gathering leading to a single report. Whilst
a report can capture a lot of knowledge, the output • A reflection piece which analyses the process of
is often inappropriate for a variety of audiences. doing the research, highlighting any challenges
Feminist research will consider different knowledge for project participants.
outputs emerging at different stages of the research • A set of talking head videos which can be
process, and accessible to a range of audiences. circulated alongside other material, which shows
Involving communications focal people from the the audience people’s perspectives directly.
beginning can help by bringing in new ideas. Consider • A piece of art or drama to communicate analysis
what knowledge was generated in the research and to audiences who are unlikely to read a report.
how can you can you reach different audiences and
• A blog piece on a particular aspect of the
tailor outputs to share that knowledge to reflect,
research.
learn and shift power? For example,
• Think about whose story you are telling, why,
• Research should say something new; new data, and the ethics of doing so. And always check
or a new story or angle or approach. Consider you have the appropriate permissions.
a short press release and accompanying social • A webinar to reflect and share knowledge with
media. allies in and outside the organisation.

Communications • Mandatory use of feminist, intersectional and
gender sensitive language in all languages used
checklist •
by ActionAid and partners
When we’re writing up our work, we need to use
the words and terminology which relates to our
We must remember there are many powerful ways allies’ politics and strategy. This can be found in
of communicating and we do so through what we our style guidelines and strategy. Editors should
see, hear, say, touch and smell. We emphasise the be given a copy.
visual and when we use words we write as we speak, • Research may be communicated and translated
(even policy reports can read like a great speech); into other languages, it needs to be as clear,
know our audiences intimately and remember that concise, focused, jargon free and unambiguous
less is more. In doing so we must remember that our as possible.
theory of change is embedded in communications. • We need to be particularly careful when
The process and product of any communication conducting research on sensitive issues like
should empower, build solidarity and enable VAWG, political change, justice and inequality,
campaigning and activism around alternatives. When which may be translated in different ways in
you’re planning and again when you have your draft indigenous languages.
product, critically evaluate the product against the • Ensure that your language is gender sensitive,
communications style guide to check it will reach its refer to these guidelines and the strategy for
audience. ways to talk about intersectionality, young
people etc.
• Consider that participants may have hearing and
Think about visual disabilities and please consider the usage

of sign language and braille for documents.
language • As you write, consider whose voice is speaking

through the research. Be wary of reverting to
‘ActionAid thinks’ as a way of talking. Consider
The language we use is extremely important as it
whose analysis is being communicated at
is how we communicate our politics and show our
national, regional and global levels? ActionAid’s
solidarity with allies. Language and symbols may easily
or the research communities?
reinforce stereotypes and send different messages
to those we intend. Therefore, we can consider:
Check list for managing publications and impact

Have you:
• Checked that the products emerging from your knowledge generation are
audience appropriate?
• Used appropriate and political language?
• Checked your product(s) are communicable?

Ninive Loriani Ferreira and her mother walk in the streets of Heliópolis, São Paulo, Brazil, enjoying the new LED lights. Ninive is an activist and member
of UNAS, a local NGO and partner of ActionAid, who have gathered evidence, campaigned and successfully ensured a safer neighbourhood.
PHOTO: FABIO ERDOS/ACTIONAID
STEP SIX:
MANAGING THE
RESEARCH PROCESSES
Managing interviews power dynamics as the ethnological observation
can lead to useful analysis.
& focus group • Who to involve i.e. not only the most powerful
in the community, but a seeking out the unheard
discussions voices amongst women’s rights movements,

other CSOs, government representatives
Interviews and focus groups can be fraught with etc. When seeking out unheard voices from
negative power dynamics and in their worst iteration marginalised and vulnerable groups, please
they can be extractive, triggering unwelcome ensure that you consider the provisions in the
emotion without recourse to support. A project overarching SHEA and Safeguarding policies.
manager must consider: Participation should always be safe, sensitive to
risk and voluntary.
• How to mitigate the power or perceived power • Size smaller focus groups can lead to more
of the interviewer through careful researcher of a routine conversation, with participants
selection and process. If a focus group, consider deferring to well-known stories or anecdotes,
asking someone to observe the focus group for larger (20+) groups can be more chaotic but may

lead to more of an insight into the community methodology for the facilitator.
dynamics.43 • Informed consent and data. Check you’ve got
• Participants’ time. Focus groups take a lot longer your consent in place. once it is, then consider
to set up than we usually plan for and are much how you record interviews and focus groups.
more costly than we budget for. If the questions Recording the group is essential and apps can
are intended to take one hour, then the focus be downloaded onto a phone to do this. A
group itself may take three hours. Extra to this transcript may be useful. As a rule of thumb, it
should be time for lunch and travel. Given the takes double the time to transcribe as it does to
time involved, consider participants’ unpaid care hold the interview/focus group. For the UK the
and domestic work, other responsibilities, and costs might be from £200 a day.
whether the location is accessible. • Triggering some questions may trigger an
• Participants’ safety. As well as the ethical unwelcome emotional response from participants
dynamics of informed consent, consider including retraumatization of participants who
whether the venue is safe and accessible are survivors of violence. Aftercare support
physically and whether participants’ must be in place before any questions are
psychological needs are accounted for. If asked; participants must be made aware of this
participants bring their children, how are beforehand, and informed that some questions
ensuring that the space is safe for them and our may be triggering so they can refuse to answer,
staff and representatives are safe to be around ask for a break, seek support etc.44
children. There can be a risk to participating in
research processes, and it’s vital to assess this in
advance to mitigate any risk.
• Costs will include food, travel, the time of
a facilitator, partner, translator, stationery,
Power and subjectivities of people
photographer, note taker and any other staff
involved. involved in research:
• Build the research into the programme cycle.
Every person involved in a research process,
Ideally, the research will be on an area that
whatever their role title and whichever
the community group have been previously
organisation (or not) they are from, occupies
discussing. This ensures continuity with the
a place within the socio-economic and
group and ‘adds’ to existing strategies of work
political context of the research. Each person’s
rather than introducing new ones, which means
‘subjectivities’ (i.e. their beliefs and levels of
that advocacy and campaign strategies are more
power) can affect the research process and the
likely to build up over time.
others involved. Feminists have been at the
• Voice. Consider also that a focus group may not forefront of calling on research teams to be self-
be the best way to solicit minorities’ views, as reflexive about and mitigate these subjectivities
the loudest in the groups are likely to dominate, throughout the research cycle.45
even where groups have been disaggregated.
Individual interviews can usefully accompany The way these subjectivities can impact the
groups. To elicit creative responses, it may be research include:
important to consider a particularly creative
43. Ruth Kelly, Qualitative Methodologies and Focus Groups MA Quals Summative Essay, 2016.
44. See: WHO Ethical and safety recommendations for researching, documenting and monitoring sexual violence in emergencies, WHO, 2007 and
ActionAid’s ‘Tips for FGD [link: Lois]. Also; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Linda_Bartolomei/publication/249295232_%27Stop_Stealing_Our_
Stories%27_The_Ethics_of_Research_with_Vulnerable_Groups/links/5643fc1708ae451880a6f1c2.pdf
45. Anwar, N.H. & Viqar, S. 2016, Research assistants, reflexivity and the politics of fieldwork in urban Pakistan. Area, 49 (1).; Bott, E.,2010, Favourites
and others: reflexivity and the shaping of subjectivities and data in qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 10 (2); Sawas, A. Castan-Broto, V.,
Anwar, N.H. & Rehman, A., 2019, Intersectional coproduction and infrastructural violence: experiences from Pakistan. Community Development
Journal, bsc027. ; Caretta, M.A. () Situated knowledge in cross-cultural, cross-language research: a collaborative reflexive analysis of researcher,
assistant and participant subjectivities. Qualitative Research, 15 (4).

• Reproducing power dynamics (for example is not guaranteed and is context specific, so in
gender norms, stereotypes about minorities, all contexts the research team will need to have
exacerbating conflict, or emphasising a reflexive deliberation about the most ethical
power hierarchies between some of those approach in that context. This must include
involved (e.g. by making a distinction reflecting on and confronting gender norms
between participants and researchers)). as a part of their intersectional experiences of
This may manifest through the ways in privilege and oppression.46
which the group physically interacts (e.g.
in focus groups, it is not uncommon to Largely then, we suggest that:
see facilitators sitting in a chair with other
participants on the floor – which is a form 1. Training in feminist research methods
of symbolic power); the ways in which the is an essential part of any project. This
questions are framed, and how facilitators training can be delivered in multiple ways
respond to answers; and the ways in which including though workshops, webinars,
the answers are interpreted. This has scenario exercises or prescribed readings.
negative impacts for the quality of the data The selection and level of training of the
as well as the wellbeing of all involved. research participants may depend on: a) the
what of research (or whether the topic is
• When participants experience a process of general [e.g. general attitudes on health] or
this nature, it may put them at risk of being sensitive in nature [e.g. attitudes on sexual
traumatised by the experience; it may affect health); b) who the research participants
how truthful their answers may be, and it are (hegemonic or marginalised/vulnerable
may affect their decision to participate in groups) and; c) the social, economic and
future research. political context of the research.
• The data ultimately affects the quality of 2. In some cases, where a facilitator or
the research, so it is critical to acknowledge interviewer is required, it can help to have
and mitigate power and subjectivities as two of different backgrounds (age, gender,
much as possible during the research ethnicity). This approach, however, must be
process. If this is not practised, there is properly backed by clarity in the roles and
further potential for harm to rightsholders responsibilities of each (i.e. who speaks,
and the institutions involved by producing who takes notes, whether the second
analysis that is not reliable and perhaps researcher asks supplementary questions
even perpetuating inaccurate and/or or not etc).
harmful stereotypes about people.
3. Finally, trust between all members
One study from Nepal (ActionAid, 2013), found of the team is key in any research. In
that male survey interviewers perceived that some contexts, where a facilitator or
asking women about their experiences with interviewer is required, participants may
family planning would be violating the gender be less comfortable in responding to or
norms. They also perceived the act of asking engaging with ‘one of their own’, than
these questions as making sexual advances and with strangers. In other cases, it may be
feared retribution from participants’ husbands. the opposite; where participants view
Gender matching is found to be effective in strangers with distrust impacting the
many settings, because it may overcome some quality of participation. The research team
power dynamics that can occur (e.g. patriarchal) should deliberate and reflect on the most
and may offer a more comfortable environment appropriate approach, taking into account
for women to speak openly and honestly. This the context.
46. Lefkowich, M.,2019, When Women Study Men: Gendered Implications for Qualitative Research. Journal of Qualitative Research.

Fieldwork notes However, there are ways that photos can be taken
which is more aligned with a feminist approach.48
One way is to use participatory photography. This
Ethnographic research, and particularly the aspect can be extremely empowering for those involved,
of it known as participant observation, where
but also poses some risks.49 Otherwise:
the researcher takes time to observe what is
happening with a group of people and records these
observations, can be a key resource. Regardless of • Commission, where possible, local
your research methodology, it may be useful to have photographers (prioritising those from more
such recordings of the process. This is because they marginalised groups)
will add a different perspective to your analysis. For • Ensure informed consent. The consent form, and
example, did a participant look awkward when they case study, video and photography guidance is
responded to a particular question? Did they avert here.
their eyes at any stage? This knowledge might tell us • Ideally photos will be taken once trust has been
more about what is going on.47 built up between the photographer and the
‘photographed’, who may play an active part in
what the photo looks and feels like – particularly
Taking photos •
when a digital camera is used
Take photos on a proper camera rather than
Instrumental use of images to persuade and a phone where possible as the quality can be
convince decision makers have historically been much better.
extremely problematic as – aside from potentially • As per the WHO guidelines, support
putting the subject at risk - they can perpetrate mechanisms should be in place before the
the narrative that particular people, especially research starts.50
marginalised people from the global south, are • Have a look at the image guidelines for further
victims. It can also prioritise some perspectives advice.
over others. In addition, the process of gathering
• Ensure that the photography experience is
stories can be extremely distressing for individuals
positive for the ‘subject’ - they should have
concerned (as well as for researchers and research
teams). As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are ethical choice around how they are photographed in a
issues in asking potentially vulnerable marginalised way which shows their strengths and qualities
people to revisit their experiences as it may trigger (for example, when writing about VAWG, the
unwelcome thoughts and emotions. subjects should not be shown as victims).
Check list for managing the research process

Have you:
• Got consent for any images used?
• Considered power dynamics, budget and time when planning your focus groups?
47. See: Skodal & Cornish, 2015, Qualitative Research for Development, and work on ethnography by Professor Lila Abu Lughoud, which explores the
dynamics of doing ethnographic work with women in the global south E.g. (1990). Can there be a feminist ethnography? Women and Performance,
5.; (2016) Veiled sentiments: Honor and poetry in a Bedouin society; (2008) Writing women’s worlds: Bedouin stories.
48. See: Photography Ethics Centre, 2018 Understanding photography ethics in social research;
49. Prins, E.,2010, Participatory photography: A tool for empowerment or surveillance? Action Research, 8: 426.; Oliveira, E. & Vearey, J., 2015, Images
of Place: Visuals from Migrant Women Sex Workers in South Africa. Medical Anthropology, 34:4,
50. See: WHO, 2007, Ethical and safety recommendations for researching, documenting and monitoring sexual violence in emergencies.

STEP SEVEN:
ANALYSIS
members, including research assistants who tend to
be the ones who spend the most time conducting
the research itself.
You can also test validity as an ongoing part of your

reflection-action research cycle. Consider including
participatory data analysis methods, in a case where
analysis is done by individuals – they need to share
and validate the findings with the community that
has shared the data.
Data analysis
Activists march through the streets demanding equality and an end
Given we are treating our participatory methodology
to homophobia and prejudice during the annual Soweto Pride, South data collection as evidence, we need to record it
Africa. PHOTO: ACTIONAID
in a rigorous way, drawing on a feminist analysis
and paying attention to any risks of harm to
Ensuring good participants during the research process. This means
transcribing and coding interview and focus group
quality evidence & data; and grouping, coding, consolidation and data
statistics
visualisation of other data.
Before beginning the analysis process it is important

All arguments and claims made in an ActionAid to assess roles and responsibilities. Who will be
publication must be appropriately supported by part of the analysis? What steps are included in
solid evidence and careful analysis. Consider where the process? How can the process be made truly
your data is coming from: are you seeking to draw participatory and democratic? How will the analysis
out analysis from feminists from the global south or be presented?
are you sticking to the same mainstream, northern,
white and male data sources? Locate and cite the First of all prepare your data, bringing together
original source for widely quoted statistics and all relevant information collected in the form of
facts. Statistics cannot be taken out of context as interviews and FGD responses, pictures, videos,
it can change their meaning. It is the responsibility quotes and self reflection notes.
of the project manager to ensure that facts, names,
mathematical calculations etc. have been double- It is important to acknowledge, self-reflect on
checked by someone other than the author. and mitigate potential bias in the analysis and
Triangulation – the technique of increasing reliability interpretation of data. As mentioned earlier – all
through using more than one way of gathering the people involved in the research have subjectivities
same information can increase accuracy. You may which can affect how they understand, process and
consider having regular ‘sense checks’ with project analyse data. Some of the ways this can manifest

include: people are likely to be selective about • Developing procedures for cross-checking
what they choose to tell about their experiences between the research team (including
- especially of inequalities; and group interviews implementing partners and communities), for
have a tendency to reproduce societal power example through a workshop setting.
dynamics and norms, and emphasise the views of • Including individual stories and quotes to help
dominant members of the group. Extreme instances demonstrate and shed light on the lived realities
that are widely known about in communities may of the participant group. All those involved in the
be reported by many individuals, and so may research process can be part of selecting those
gain prominence in the data though they may be stories that are most significant and should be
rare. In contrast, some structural inequalities or highlighted in the research i.e those they would
marginalisations may be taken for granted and thus like the external audience to read.
excluded from the data collection and analysis • Including a continuous reflection on the existing
processes. Therefore, it is important to constantly power dynamics both internally within the
bring in perspectives from researcher’s self-reflection research process, but also externally in the
notes or journals where suitable to fill in any data community and within lives of respondents.
gaps through observational and experiential insights. Factoring in a power analysis will help draw
This would include information such as the socio- deeper insights into the underlying causes
political analysis of where the research is conducted, of power imbalances and how respondents
demographic and geographic information, as well as continue to negotiate with powerholders. This
any other relevant background information on the may include questions such as; who takes
community and participants. decisions? does everyone have the space to
be involved in the process? how can everyone’s
Historically, in many research disciplines, analysis perspectives be heard? how were disagreements
would take place following data collection. While dealt with?
this may have its advantages in terms of efficiency,
this is also creating a distance between those ‘doing’ Ongoing analysis would not replace an overall
research and research ‘subjects’ as well as between analysis session when all data is collected.
the context and the data. Two ways to mitigate for
potential bias are by making the analysis ongoing Like any mode of analysis, there still remains the
and participatory. There are many ways to do this, possibility to over-interpret or to over-generalise
and this depends on what is pragmatic. However, on the basis of limited information, or insufficient
we emphasise that finding time for ongoing and contextualisation of findings. Many authors choose
participatory analysis be a priority. For example: to acknowledge this in the writing up of the
analysis, which also points to possible alternative
• Having weekly reflection and analysis sessions interpretations of the data, since it is never possible
between the teams involved. These sessions will to eradicate all bias.
review the data collected during that week, and
all participants will discuss what they interpret It is important to keep all analysis in a file for at
this data as meaning. The group will then discuss least 3 years after the project, to comply with
if this interpretation resonates, or if personal GDPR requirements. This is also important in case
bias may have affected the interpretation. The anyone external chooses to challenge the data and
group come to a decision on analysis and write the analysis. See the Reflection-Action website for
it up. This then provides ongoing analysis and more resources on analysis
writing, while the experience of conducting the
research itself is fresh in mind.

Researcher well being
Analysis can also be a difficult process for all members of the research team as
they try to make sense of the data and listen to stories that bring out harsh realities,
especially those where trauma and violence is involved. It may remind researchers
of where they may have been subjected to violence and trauma, or trigger negative
emotions. It is essential to have mechanisms in place to support all research
participants to deal with such circumstances either individually or collectively.51
Check list for analysis

Have you:
• Assessed how to ensure your data is rigorous, from a feminist ideology and
analysed thoroughly?
• Developed a system to ensure ongoing self- and collective- reflexivity of

subjectivities that may bias the data analysis and/or the writing up of the results?
• Considered a method of analysis that is ongoing and participatory?
• Acknowledged potential bias and steps taken to mitigate it in the write-ups?
• Developed a secure system to store the data in case the analysis is challenged
and an external source requests to view it?
51. See ActionAid’s Notes on Researcher Wellbeing, Distress Protocol and SHEA & Safeguarding guidelines. Here: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.
com/sites/Research

STEP EIGHT:
GENERATING RESEARCH
PRODUCTS
Recommendations
All reports should include a ‘Recommendations’
section; usually this will form part of the conclusion.
This is in addition to the list of recommendations
included in the executive summary at the start.
Recommendations must say who needs to take what
action by when and at what cost.
References
All reports must include a full bibliography listing
the author, date and title of all sources cited in the
Women engaged in filling time diary collection in Banke, Nepal, hold text. See earlier note on Web sources - these should
calendars developed. PHOTO: ACTIONAID
include the date the site was accessed. Please refer
to the ActionAid style guidelines.
Ideally you will have several different products,

each representing your evidence in a different way,
to reach different audiences (see page 42). This Libel proofing
section deals with traditional reports.
If the publication exposes ActionAid to libel risk (for
instance if it makes allegations against companies
Executive summary or individuals that could damage their reputation),

higher standards of evidence and research must
be met, and the final draft must be checked by an
Any report of more than 8 pages should include an experienced libel lawyer. We have some lawyers
executive summary that recaps the main arguments who are able to provide pro bono support, but
of the paper and lists the key recommendations. otherwise this will often cost £100 per hour and
It should be compelling and lure the reader into above. Please see the ActionAid libel checklist
reading the whole report. At most, 10% of the length and the internal detailed guidance for advice,
of the main text is a good guide for length. Consider and contact the research advisor for pro bono
having a summary document, outlining key learnings application forms. Note that even if individuals
and recommendations, as a stand alone piece. This and companies aren’t named, if they can be easily
could be translated and is an easy way for readers to identified, it’s libellous. If there’s any risk, consider
access the knowledge. asking someone to libel check.

Peer review (see of resources. Remember large PDF files will limit
your audience considerably – especially where
previous entry) connections are unreliable. A 4Mb file, for instance,

will take someone on a dial-up connection 15
minutes to download and could lead to timeouts.
Consider carefully how to ensure that research
Inclusive participants access the end product(s).
acknowledgements
& author byline Editing
Ensure your copy editor is alerted well in advance
Remember to acknowledge research participants,
and share ActionAid style guidelines and branding
partners, editors, designers etc. We do not give
guidelines with them. Budget for the copy editor to
author bylines to members of staff; author credit
look over the designed copy as mistakes can creep
(as well as copyright) goes to ActionAid and
in when it gets to design, especially around footnotes.
research participants, and not to individuals.
Individuals’ contributions can be recognised in an
Acknowledgements section. However, exceptions are
made; in some cases, the report would have greater
impact on the audience if the lead researchers
Sign off
were named. For example, if there was an academic [See page 26]
audience and if the researcher was well known and
respected. On such an occasion you may want to
add a management summary to the report. This
would highlight the management response to the
evidence and suggestions generated. Check list for writing
different research
Branding products
Have you:
Branding is a challenging issue from a feminist
perspective since by putting its name to a • Given your editor and designer
publication, ActionAid may be perceived to be the ActionAid style & branding
taking voice and ownership over the analysis therein,
guidelines?
which is jointly developed. Ultimately branding helps
with fundraising. And yet ActionAid as a federation
• Go your report checked for libel?
can use its legitimate power to influence and shift
power. ActionAid does choose to put its brand on
• Have you got sign off on your
publications, alongside partners and acknowledges
report?
all research participants within the front cover.
ActionAid’s branding guidelines are here.
• Acknowledged all research
participants?
Printing • Applied appropriate branding?
In most cases, your audiences will read any written

output online so printing a long report is a waste

Interviews with Abishyize women’s group, Rwanda. PHOTO: JANE LENNON/ACTIONAID
STEP NINE:
REFLECTION ON FINDINGS
WITH PARTICIPANTS AND
OTHER KEY GROUPS OF
RIGHTS HOLDERS
Reflection with where evidence has been gathered and jointly
analysed, potentially for some external moment.
stakeholders / Before this stage, it’s important to hold a validation

and reflection workshop with all involved stakeholders
validation workshop where you can discuss analysis, make any tweaks and
share any other analysis that might have emerged
from other places, such as from other countries, or
Participatory and inclusive research should involve a cross country statistical analysis. Consider how
reflection-action with all research participants at you are communicating this accessibly to all those
all stages of the research process. However, most involved i.e. through different (translated) content.
research processes have some sort of ‘end point’,

Evaluation research met its objectives; was there a feminist
analysis? Did it draw on intersectionality? Did it meet
the principles of the ActionAid Research Signature?
Evaluation will be part of your ongoing reflection-
What were the challenges? How did you overcome
action processes. However, it’ll be more formalised
them? Even if it didn’t meet its objectives, can the
at the end of the research process. You will have
already laid out the evaluation criteria at the evidence be used, or the process be learnt from in
beginning of the exercise. At the same time as the different ways? Document institutional learnings and
final reflection you might wish to have a meeting share these with a webinar to ActionAid staff and
with research participants to find out whether the partners.
Check list for reflection and evaluation

Have you:
• Used the Research Signature to assess and evaluate your research?
• Given all research participants the opportunity to engage with reflection and
action planning around a near final product?
• Shared the final product internally with a webinar to staff and have you emailed
internal.comms@actionaid.org for guidance on how to share internally?

Further reading
ActionAid, 2006; Power, Inclusion and Rights based Approaches, the ActionAid Gender Equality and RBA Resource Kit. See: www.
actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/gender_equality_resource_kit_-_2006.doc
ActionAid, 2013; Communication and Power. See: http://www.participatorymethods.org/resource/communication-and-power-reflect-

practical-resource-materials
ActionAid, Curtin University & University of Sydney, 2014; Transitional Justice for Women Handbook series, 2014. See: http://www.
justiceforwomen.net.au/handbooks.html
ActionAid, Oxfam & IDS, 2015; Redistributing care work for gender equality and justice, a training curriculum. See: http://www.
actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/redistributing_care_work_final_0.pdf
ActionAid, 2016; Tax Power campaign, Reflection-Action Toolkit. See: http://www.actionaid.org/publications/tax-power-campaign-

reflection-action-toolkit
ActionAid, 2016; Women’s Rights and HRBA Training Curriculum. See: https://actionaid.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Womens-
Rights-and-HRBA-Training-Curriculum-1.pdf
Axinn, WG; 1991; The influence of interviewer sex on responses to sensitive questions in Nepal. Soc Sci Res. 1991;20:303–18.
Berman, Gabrielle; Hart, Jason; O’Mathúna, Dónal; Mattellone, Erica; Potts, Alina; O’Kane, Clare; Shusterman, Jeremy; Tanner, Thomas.,
2016; What We Know about Ethical Research Involving Children in Humanitarian Settings: An overview of principles, the literature
and case studies, Innocenti Working Papers no. 2016_18 , UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence. See: https://www.unicef-
irc.org/publications/849-what-we-know-about-ethical-research-involving-children-in-humanitarian-settings-an.html
Bauer, Martin W., and George Gaskell, eds., 2000: Qualitative researching with text, image and sound: A practical handbook for social
research. Sage
Chakma, Trimita, .2016: An effective framework for Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR): An effective framework for
empowering grassroots women & strengthening feminist movements in Asia Pacific. Asian Journal of Women’s Studies Asian Journal
of Women’s Studies Volume 22, Issue 2. Pages 165 -173.
Christian Aid, 2017; Toolkit for setting up relationships between NGOs/Academics: Rethinking Research Partnerships consortium
guide: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-10/discussion-guide-ngo-academic-research-oct2017_0.pdf
Kelly, R, 2016; Qualitative Methodologies and Focus Groups MA Quals Summative Essay,
Kelly, R , 2019: Translating rights and articulating alternatives: rights-based approaches in ActionAid’s work on unpaid care, The
International Journal of Human Rights, 23:5, 862-879, 2019. See: DOI: 10.1080/13642987.2017.1314646
Kovdal, Morten, & Flora Cornish, 2016; Qualitative Research for Development, Practical Action Publishing,
Krueger, Richard A., and Mary Anne Casey, 2014; Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Sage publications, 2014.
Lokot, Michelle, 2019; The space between us: feminist values and humanitarian power dynamics in research with refugees, Gender &
Development, 27:3, 467-484, See: DOI: 10.1080/13552074.2019.1664046
Mancini & Van Klasen, 2006; Critical Webs of Power & Change, ActionAid. See : http://www.actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/critical_
webs_of_power_and_change_-_summary_booklet.pdf
Nedelec, Joseph L. A multi-level analysis of the effect of interviewer characteristics on survey respondents’ reports of sensitive
topics. Personality and Individual Differences 107 (2017): 96-101
Quay, Isadora., 2019 Rapid Gender Analysis and its use in crises: from zero to fifty in five years, Gender & Development, 27:2, 221-
236, See: https://doi.org/10.1080/13552074.2019.1615282
Saferworld, International Alert, Conciliation Resources., 2019; Doing research in conflict settings: gender mainstreaming and ethics.
See: http://www.c-r.org/resource/doing-research-conflict-settings
What Works & the Global Women’s Institute, 2019; Research to Action Toolkit; VAWG in Conflict and Humanitarian Settings. See:
https://www.whatworks.co.za/resources/reports/item/682-research-to-action-toolkit-vawg-in-conflict-and-humanitarian-settings
Online:
ActionAid’s online portal of methodologies, the Reflection-Action website: http://www.networkedtoolbox.com/ soon to be at http://
www.reflectionaction.org
The Institute of Development Studies catalogue of resources https://www.participatorymethods.org/
Gender analysis in conflict: https://insights.careinternational.org.uk/in-practice/rapid-gender-analysis

ANNEX:
FUNDRAISING FOR
ACTIONAID RESEARCH
Fundraising for Know ActionAid’s
research niche
There is funding out there. Money that used to only ActionAid has a strong narrative we can use when
be available to academics has now opened to NGOs we are talking to donors; both for our potential as
because of an emphasis on ‘pathways to impact’ (an a research partner and as a funding recipient. We
ActionAid strength). Broadly there are different types have a unique research niche. A research strategy,
of funding: ActionAid Research Signature, rootedness in 45
countries, drawing on intersectional feminism, and
• Institutions such as EU/DFID. For example, the a history of different research relationships and
UK GCRF is £1.5billion funding mediated through models to draw from. Amongst other things we are
research institutes, over 5 years. It is likely to be respected for our participatory research (our Reflect
repeated and has an emphasis on partnership. methodology is well respected) and for investigative
• Foundations [who we can tap for independent research (our tax research).
research or for research with programmes]
• Individuals
Funding mechanisms may reproduce patriarchy

Identify funds &
and colonialism; It is important to have feminist
analysis on the funding that is available. Some of the
write an effective
sources are patriarchal and perpetrate racism and
colonialism and the hierarchy of academic research.
proposal
ActionAid should screen donors in the same way • Explore different academic disciplines.
that fundraising colleagues screen for programmes. Economics-focused work will go to more
The partnership and inception workshop ideas in specialised organisations and is highly
the guidelines above should help with securing competitive. Arts and humanities tend to be
likeminded partners. under subscribed and there’s an opportunity to
do some really interesting research. For example,
There is demand/need for research. Research the Arts and Activism work in ActionAid Uganda
evidence that we base policy on is very slender (i.e. and Bangladesh is funded by the UK Arts and
one study in one region in one country) and this is Humanities Research Council.
of concern to policy makers as there are huge aid • Overbudget academic time. There’s financial
budgets attached. This absence of research data is a issues around including NGOs in fundraising
space ActionAid can fill. for academic research calls. Europe-based
academics cost projects a huge amount and
the indirect costs universities have to take as

overheads are extremely high. This may leave
less of the pot to NGOs. There are ways around Working in
this. For example, over budget for academic’s
time: it will be expected that academic costs partnership for
will be high. The money can then be used for
ActionAid and partners’ work
effective fundraising
• Say what donors want to hear. Donors really
• Understand the pros and cons. There are
like pilots and building on pilots so in each bid
advantages for research institutes to working
we have to emphasize the ‘new’ and ‘innovative’
with NGOs as it helps to prove the pathways for
even if it is building on an older piece of work.
impact. However, academics can be wary; they
• Use the right language. Tell a good story, get a
may consider NGOs as too removed from grass
good idea of what you want to achieve but pitch
roots, or as having a predetermined agenda.
it in a story-telling way in the light of the donor
Academic research should uncover findings
priorities and language (for example, talking
rather than be about proving what we already
about ‘impact’, ‘global challenges’, ‘co creation of
know.
knowledge’ etc)
• Be mindful of power. There are advantages for
• Target the right funds/donors. Some donors
NGOs to working with academics because of the
(i.e Leverhulme) are interested in academic
opportunity for funding access, peer review or
research; they want to see a recipient find a gap
research rigour, as well as a different audience
in the literature. Other funds are different. For
and reach. However, NGOs have to be mindful
example, DFID & GCRF want the silver bullet…
of historical and current power dynamics when
solution-based and simple… where the recipient
exploring a relationship. NGOs can play a role to
tests an approach and gives an answer. Being
ensure that academic funding is more practical
aware of the donor mindset is really important.
and mindful of power. ActionAid UK is working
ActionAid is working on complexity yet we need
with others to try to ensure UK funding has a
to show we are exploring an astute political
more collaborative approach.
solution.
• Carefully consider your academic partners.
• Offer in kind funding. Consider adding staff time
Some institutions such as IDS have a similar
and planning time as well as hosting researchers,
vision to ActionAid’s. Otherwise, sometimes it is
training activists or staff as researchers.
better to work with one trusted academic rather
• Think research. Consider adding research to any
than a whole research institute.
programming fundraising and consider adding
• Share a political vision with your partners. It’s
activism to any research funding.
important to be very upfront about the value
• Build on M&E funding. Build in a research
of research and the vision for research. Have a
funding element to an M&E proposal, which will
shared understanding.
make the most of the opportunity for shifting
• Invest in the partnership take time to build a
power and for learning.
relationship.
• Be ready. Have a research funding proposal
• Understand different motivations. Do they want
ready to go and tailor/tweak it to opportunities.
a partnership or a consultancy contract?
• Be persistent. Most GCRF bids have a success
rate of under 10%. Keep applying.
• Use ActionAid’s Contract Management System.
Concepts seeking funding need to be logged
on the Ideas page of the Contract Management
System. It’s simple and quick and your local
Super User can help you.: CMSSupport@
actionaid.org

Acknowledgements
Thanks to: Lois Appleby, Saranel Benjamin, Stevie Benton, Melissa Bungcaras, Galia Buxbaum, Lila Caballero, Pranita Choudhry,
Ashleena Deike, Daniela Egger, Neesha Fakir, Lweendo Haangala, Sally Henderson, Helena Rodrigues Lopes, Javeria Ayaz Malik,
Aluizio Marino, Ruby Moshenska, Rungano Muchetu, Neelanjana Mukhia, Natasha Mulder, Rachel Noble, Observatório de Olho na
Quebrada, Isabella Orfano, Anna Parke, Dirgha Raj, Faria Rashid, Katherine Robinson, Renata Saavedra, Livia Salles, Patricia Waliaula,
Lee Webster, Hay Mar Win.
Appreciation to teams in pilot countries: ActionAid Brazil, ActionAid Liberia, ActionAid Myanmar, ActionAid ActionAid UK with the
FHN, ActionAid Zimbabwe Including: Caroline Bowah, Niki Ignatiou, Jestina Kanneh, Joy Mabenge, Farisayi Madhaka, Rumbidzayi
Makoni, Phyo Thet Naing Win, Rungano Muchetu
Special thanks to: Trimita Chakma, Isabella Matambanadzo, Awino Okech.
Writing team: Kate Carroll, Baishali Chatterjee, Wangari Kinoti, Lindelwe Nxumalo, Amiera Sawas, Lakshmi Subramani, Korto Williams.
Edited by: Rowan Dent

Designed by: www.NickPurserDesign.com
ActionAid, Feminist Research Guidelines, 2021
COVER PHOTO: Zandile Mabaso is a member of the Rainbow Activist Alliance, a youth movement from for young black Lesbian women which is
supported by ActionAid South Africa. CREDIT: COLLEN MFAZWE.
ActionAid is a global movement of people working
together to achieve greater human rights for all
and defeat poverty. We believe people in poverty
have the power within them to create change for
themselves, their families and communities.
ActionAid is a catalyst for that change.
http://actionforglobaljustice.actionaid.org
International Registration number: 27264198
Website: www.actionaid.org
Telephone: +27 11 731 4500
Fax: +27 11 880 8082
Email: mailjhb@actionaid.org
ActionAid International Secretariat,

Postnet Suite 248, Private Bag X31, Saxonwold 2132,
Johannesburg, South Africa.
November 2021

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ACTIONAID

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 2

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 3

STEP ONE: Conceptualising Research 12

Conceptualising research ideas 12

STEP TWO: Developing a research proposal 19

Defining research aims 19

STEP THREE: Inception Workshop 29

Preparing a research inception workshop 29

STEP FOUR: Cementing a research protocol, safeguarding & ethics 33

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 4

STEP FIVE: Publications and impact 42

Consider a variety of outputs 42

STEP SIX: Managing the research processes 44

Managing interviews & focus group discussions 44

STEP SEVEN: Analysis 48

Ensuring good quality evidence & statistics 48

STEP EIGHT: Generating research products 51

Reflection with stakeholders / validation workshop 53

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 5

approach to through Reflection-Action cycles - the change starts

research important Research and policy analysis, combined with

for ActionAid? collective action, and ongoing reflection by those

6. For a glossary of key concepts go to: https://actionaidglobal.sharepoint.com/sites/Research

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 6

ActionAid’s research mission is to support

ActionAid’s ActionAid’s overall mission by producing evidence,

Research Strategy complemented by analysis and evidence from

Research - both in process and product should wherever possible:

See ‘What is feminist research?’ for more details.

11. As outlined in ActionAid’s strategy; Action for Global Justice 2028

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 7

A research ‘signature’ relates to the consistent look and feel

Key elements of ActionAid Research:

Strong analysis draws on intersectional feminism:

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 8

Is innovative and engaging:

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 9

• Ensured there is budget for translation? [see page 25]

• Had sign off on your ToR? [see page 26]

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 10

• Discussed intellectual property? [see page 35]

• Used appropriate and political language? [see page 43]

• Acknowledged all research participants? [see page 52]

• Got your product(s) checked for libel? [see page 51]

• Got sign off on your product(s)? [see page 26]

• Branded your product(s) appropriately [see page 52]

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 11

research ideas participants (including the rights holders whose

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 12

• What are the language capacities of the team

Decision-making: How should decisions be

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 13

Finance: How is the project financed and

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 14

FEMINIST RESEARCH GUIDELINES 15

Working with particularly.18 This brings huge advantages.

academic institutes subject knowledge, the experience of research