Navigating Qualitative Data Collection Challenges: Fieldwork Insights and Recommendations for Research with Development Project Beneficiaries

Abstract

In development and migration studies, understanding the impact of policies and development interventions is one of the major research priorities. However, when carrying out research with beneficiaries of development projects in Africa, there are numerous challenges that - if not carefully considered - will jeopardize data quality. Even though there are some methodological articles and reflections on monitoring & evaluation and on quantitative research with beneficiaries of development projects, not much has been written on the specific challenges that qualitative data collection faces in these situations. Drawing on 28 FGDs and 144 IDIs conducted in the timespan of 18 months of qualitative fieldwork research with project beneficiaries in Southern Ethiopia, we give fieldwork advice, and provide actionable recommendations for future research, revolving around 1) the importance of pre-testing, 2) verifying age and other personal characteristics of informants, 3) the outsider-insider debate, 4) sampling and communication with NGO staff, 5) expectations, vulnerabilities and behavior of individuals.