Non-Traditional Research Methods and Regional Planning Needs in Developing Countries: Is there an Ideal Methodology?

• Autores: Lucio Reinaldo Muñoz Toledo
• Localización: Theomai: estudios sobre sociedad, naturaleza y desarrollo, ISSN-e 1515-6443, Nº. 6, 2002
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Data and non-data limitations which complicate the methodological handling of critical regional problems in developing countries are listed. It is argued that the ideal methodology to deal with those complex issues under such limiting conditions must have the following characteristics: a) be flexible so it can be applied under different sets of constraining factors; b) be issue specific so it can be used to target specific critical problems or combination of them; c) be cost-effective so that it can be used or replicated easily according to local conditions and needs; d) be simple so it can be adapted and disseminated by local actors; e) be holistic so it can deal consistently with the local and regional conditions at the same time; and f) be based on conjunctural causation so that the complex nature of the problem is more realistically reflected; and g) be theoretically sound so as to provide a scientific rational consistent or comparable with that of traditional research methodologies. Then, it is pointed out based on the advantages and dis-advantages of traditional and non-traditional research methodologies that each of them fails one or more of the ideal characteristics and therefore are not consistent with the ideal methodology. Finally, another non-traditional methodology is described as the ideal methodology to deal with complex regional issues in developing countries. This ideal methodology is based on combining Rapid Assessment Research(RAR) and Qualitative Comparative Research(QCR). It is concluded that with a simple research tool based on the ideal characteristics, local and regional planners and decision makers in developing countries could be able to support or reject scientifically existing official positions on local and regional social, economic and environmental issues and discourse.