Questionnaires – Participation Case Study Part of 2004 Report "Designing Social Capital Sensitive Participation Methodologies"

Questionnaires were administered to 100 people in each project area. The project team designed the questionnaire and a random stratified sampling procedure was used to select the questionnaire recipients. The questionnaire was administered by counter-part staff who were located outside to the project area. The result was a very low level of participation; just information extraction; and no social capital building opportunities. It is recommended that design input be sought from key local stakeholders to improve the efficiency and validity of the questionnaire. Social capital building opportunities could also be maximized if local extension personnel administered the questionnaire. Depending on their capacity some training may be required to ensure the questionnaire is administered rigorously and they should receive some pay to supplement the time away from other activities. The social capital building opportunities from this are significant. The local extension staff represent an important existing link between a variety of different members within the community and cross social groups. The networks and linkages established through administering the questionnaire are likely to last and contribute to community level social capital.

The biggest advantage for project level social capital occurred as a result of linkages between the separate project teams. The personnel shared identification with each other and this strong belonging led to almost immediate generation of norms of reciprocity. The team members saw themselves a ‘whities in a black land’. The collaboration between the projects increased significantly with regular meetings, sharing of materials, help and this is likely to continue.

• Dissemination of Information – Participation Case Study
• Focus Groups – Participation Case Study
• Public Meetings – Participation Case Study
• Questionnaires – Participation Case Study Part of 2004 Report "Designing Social Capital Sensitive Participation Methodologies"
• Recommendations – Participation Case Study