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Sustainable energy project case study in rural Uganda
- 1. Methodology for the field (… & in the field) Case study: sustainable energy project in Uganda Rodrigo Gonzalez Lopez 09 May 2016
- 2. A bit of background… • Dutch foundation/ company – SHS in African countries – Specific project: rural Uganda • Intern at the company(?) • Double agenda – Very specific interest • Mainly… batteries – Own interest, broader, IS related
- 3. Choosing the methods • But first… – REALLY understand your RQ • Ethnography – You gain “real” access – Involvement in everyday life – “Filters” removed
- 4. Choosing the methods • Semi-structured interviews – Flexibility – Discover unsuspected topics – Real listening exercise – Learning from/ while doing – Questions change over time
- 5. Participant observation • Observer also takes part of the action – “You become one of them” – “Soak it all in” (Johanna) • Field notes – Context, environment, attitudes, etc. – Events, reactions, feelings, even smells • Diary
- 6. Participant observation in practice • “You become one of them” – ONLY IF THEY WANT TO • Gaining access is KEY • You’ll stand out, “be wise” how to deal with it • Field notes – Excellent reminder for surprising/ uncommon things – Time constraint – Audio notes helpful
- 7. Participant observation in practice • Diary – Thick descriptions – Be constant and consistent (I did a template) – Balance being thorough, quick and concise • Being (very) flexible helps – Recognize what is helpful (and what not) – Select subjects that yield more and better insight – Stay neutral (you’re there to understand, not to “correct”)
- 8. Participant observation in practice • Gaining / improving access – Higher management was less helpful – “Field staff” familiar face More openness – More helpful on subject selection
- 9. Participant observation in practice • Gaining / improving access – Installation teams more time observing – Time when SHS in use
- 10. Interviews in practice • Double agenda – Company expected a survey • Questions changed/ added really quickly – Expand interview vs. changing questions – Identify if worth changing • Language barriers – Translation vs. interpretation
- 11. Interviews in practice • Ask permission (!) • Record: audio & written notes – Voice recorder awareness • What they want you to know vs. what you want to know – New topics & questions come out of this • Recognize & cut short bad interviews – BUT BE OPEN
- 12. Other tools • Voice recorder – Audio notes helpful – Learn its drawbacks • Camera(s) – Ask permission (and respect it!) – Wide angle lens/ action camera helpful
- 13. Other tools • Camera(s) – Wide angle lens/ action camera helpful • Storage & backups – HDD, dropbox, etc
- 14. Doing things differently? • Spend more time in the field – Even if logistics are against you, there are ways – Be more selective (e.g. more english speaking subjects)
- 15. Last but not least… • Anyone can be helpful • Be a tourist too • Be grateful • Have fun & stay safe (Johanna)
- 16. Q & A…
Editor's Notes
- RQ: What practices enable and hinder the take up and performance of sustainable energy solutions such as SHS in rural areas in Uganda, and how do these relate to the sustainability of energy business models? Ethnography: A way of studying cultures and practices through observation, participation and qualitative techniques