Agriculture provides food and nutrition for all people and raw materials for industry. It is the source of employment and livelihoods for the majority of people in developing countries - including much of Sub-Saharan Africa. But agriculture faces sustainability and viability challenges, notably declining production and productivity, food and nutrition insecurity, and conflicting research and development approaches. Solutions to the challenges require innovation that involves transdisciplinary effort and multiple stakeholders. The Developmental Work Research (DWR) methodology enables practitioners, content and process specialists to work together and develop solutions that overcome complex agriculture challenges. DWR provides conceptual tools that utilise the distributed cognition and volition of agricultural stakeholders to produce lasting solutions. This book discusses the DWR methodology and how it can and has been used to facilitate collective innovation, transform agricultural practices, improve the livelihoods of farming communities and the land. It draws on DWR-inspired case studies in southern Africa, Finland and New Zealand. 'Mutizwa Mukute has written a much-needed introduction to developmental work research. The book is theoretically and methodologically sophisticated, yet solidly grounded in practice. It provides an excellent basis for conducting research and formative interventions in the domain of agricultural innovations, and beyond.' Yrjö Engeström, Professor and Director of CRADLE, University of Helsinki

"Developmental work research is an innovative approach to the study and reshaping of work and learning. It expands cultural-historical activity theory by bringing it to the domains of work, technology and organizations. The world of work is in turmoil, increasingly dominated by 'runaway objects' generated by globalization and greed (global markets are such massive objects out of control). Yet it is the object that motivates work and generates visons of better future. The use values of objects have not vanished, although they are more difficult to grasp than perhaps ever before. Developmental work research rediscovers and expands use values in runaway objects. In workplace interventions it engages practitioners in expansive re-forging of the objects of their work."--Cover.

Doing Development Research is a comprehensive introduction to research in development studies, that provides thorough training for anyone carrying out research in developing countries. It brings together experts with extensive experience of overseas research, presenting an interdisciplinary guide to the core methodologies. Informed by years of research experience, Doing Development Research draws together many strands of action research and participatory methods, demonstrating their diverse applications and showing how they interrelate. The text provides: · an account of the theoretical approaches that underlie development work · an explanation of the practical issues involved in planning development research · a systematic overview of information and data collecting methods in three sub-sections: · methods of social research and associated forms of analysis · using existing knowledge and records · disseminating findings/research Using clear and uncomplicated language – illustrated with appropriate learning features throughout - the text guides the researcher through the choice of appropriate methods, the implementation of the research, and the communication of the findings to a range of audiences. This is the essential A-Z of development research.

"Subject Areas/Keywords: child development, children, developmental psychology, developmental research methods, developmental science, early childhood, infancy research, infants, parents, preschoolers, research laboratory, research studies DESCRIPTION Addressing practical issues rarely covered in methods texts, this userfriendly, jargonfree book helps students and beginning researchers plan infant and child development studies and get them done. The author provides stepbystep guidance for getting involved in a developmental laboratory and crafting effective research questions and proposals. Tips on recruiting study participants cover access issues--such as how to overcome language and cultural barriers--and include helpful sample scripts. The book offers time management strategies, pointers for organizing and communicating data, and a roadmap of the journal publication process, complete with an annotated sample article. Numerous concrete examples, checklists, worksheets, and exercises are featured. Reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size"--

`[Research for Development] is well-written and, at every stage, is well-documented with practical examples. The simplicity with which it is written adds to its value in that non-professional persons get well-aquainted with the research process. Every chapter in the book ends with highlighting of the main points made in that chapter... A further strength of the book is the inclusion of an appendix with a list of websites that deal with issues in the area of development research... the simplicity of its organization and message should appeal to people/researchers across disciplines' - Pakistan Development Review `Research for Development achieves the near impossible: it provides vast quantities of useful guidance for almost anyone involved in research for development regardless of the size of your research project or your role within that project' - Arvac Bulletin `Written by professional researchers, this immensely practical book provides development workers with a more research-oriented point of view, so that they can avoid mistakes in the design of programmes. It will also help them to understand people's needs and respond accordingly' - The Asian Age `It is a beautiful and comprehensive compilation giving scores of instances that prove the essentiality if carrying out a survey of a particular locality for bringing about a change there' - Rafique Jalal, DAWN This book provides a comprehensive introduction and handbook for undertaking and managing research in development. It is designed to provide both a quick reference manual and an indispensable learning tool for all students, researchers and practitioners engaged in development work. The text is divided into two parts: Managing research for development, and Doing research for development. Together the two parts review the complete research process from outlining the essential role and purpose of research, highlighting specific issues to development research, to demonstrating how to evaluate and secure the best results from subsequent research projects. The book includes: an overview of different types of research in development work; practical steps to writing a brief and managing research; practical steps to evaluating and promoting research findings; step by step guides to getting started and choosing a research method; detailed guidelines to seven key research techniques; examples, exercises, summaries and checklists; and glossary and guides to additional resources and packages Drawing on considerable hands-on experience, Research for Development will be an essential companion and invaluable tool for anyone engaged in contemporary development research, development work and development studies.

This book examines the interrelationship between workplace studies and new technology.

Appropriate for use in developmental research methods or analysis of change courses, this is the first methods handbook specifically designed to meet the needs of those studying development. Leading developmental methodologists present cutting-edge analytic tools and describe how and when to use them, in accessible, nontechnical language. They also provide valuable guidance for strengthening developmental research with designs that anticipate potential sources of bias. Throughout the chapters, research examples demonstrate the procedures in action and give readers a better understanding of how to match research questions to developmental methods. The companion website (www.guilford.com/laursen-materials) supplies data and program syntax files for many of the chapter examples.