Insights | Series II | No. 2 | January 2014

The Development Evaluation Blogosphere

When we released Charney’s Development Evaluation Survey for the Society for International Development-Washington last month, one of the surprises was how little use people concerned with development evaluation seemed to get out of the blogosphere. Only one blog we tested, the World Bank’s Development Impact, had significant readership. Fully 60% of those polled said they never went to development evaluation blogs – even though few were very satisfied with available development evaluation information sources.

So here is a rundown of blogs specializing in development evaluation. They offer ways to keep up with developments in field, at important development institutions, or in particular methods.

For a summary of the findings, click here.

What Syrians Think: Views on the Conflict, Negotiations, and Transitional Justice

What do Syrians think about the civil war raging around them for nearly three years? What are their views of key actors in the government and opposition? How do they want the conflict resolved? What are their attitudes toward accountability?

Few people have any idea – yet these are vitally important questions. To seek some answers, Charney Research conducted qualitative survey research among Syrians inside and outside their country for the Syrian Justice and Accountability Centre, a non-partisan NGO working on transitional justice issues in Syria. The results are in our new report, “’He who did wrong should be accountable’: Syrian Perspectives on Transitional Justice,” released at a meeting on January 29 at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.

The findings will surprise many – for they show a consensus in favor of a negotiated settlement and accountability for abuses on both sides. They are essential reading for anyone concerned with ending the conflict or how transitional Justice can help in a Syrian transition.

To read the article, click here.

To read the full report, click here.

Ask the Survey Doctor: Surveys in Conflict Zones and Non-Permissive Environments

If you are struggling with surveys, evaluations, assessments, or market research in developing countries, please email your question to jeffrey@charneyresearch.com.

Q. Many development, security assistance, or conflict resolution programs necessarily operate in insecure environments. How are you able to conduct surveys in conflict zones and non-permissive environments?

A. This is a very real problem, particularly as development, defense, and diplomatic objectives have become more closely aligned since 2001. It’s important to be able to conduct surveys, assessments, and evaluations – but it’s essential to know how to operate in conflictual or non-permissive environments. It’s trickier than in more normal places – but it can be done.

For the full answer, click here.