Developing Joint Action Research Project Proposal

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Developing Joint Action Research Project Proposal
Southeast Asia Urban Environmental Management
Applications (SEA-UEMA) Project
Dr. Edsel E. Sajor Coordinator, Joint Action
Research Rutmanee Ongsakul Project Associate
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
INTRODUCTION

• Basic Concept of action research introduction
  to JAR Component of SEA-UEMA Project
• Components and structure of research proposal
• Evaluation criteria of SEA-UEMA Project and how
  to operationalize them in a proposal

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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project

• Basic Concept of action research introduction
  to JAR Component of SEA-UEMA Project

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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
What is action Research ?
Some definitions Action research combines a
substantive act with a research procedure it is
action disciplined by enquiry, a personal attempt
at understanding while engaged in a process of
improvement and reform (Hopkins, 2002, p. 42)
Action research is a flexible spiral process
which allows action (change, improvement) and
research (understanding, knowledge) to be
achieved at the same time (Dick 2002)
Action research is .usually described as
cyclic, with action and critical reflection
taking place in turn (Dick 2002)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
What is action Research ?
Four characteristics of action research
(Denscombe 1998, pp. 57-8)

• Its practical nature
• Its focus on change
• The involvement of a cyclical process
• 4. Its concern with participation

A basic action research model
Plan
Act
Observe
Reflect
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
What is action Research ?
Some models of action research in development
practice
Simple model
Type 1 Understanding in the context of a simple
problem solving
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
What is action Research ?
Type 2 Understanding and improving an ongoing
development program or policy
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
What is action Research ?
Extended model
Understanding problem situation and change
intervention in an extended process
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
Joint Action Research Component of SEA-UEMA
Project
It is a partnership program that undertakes
action change-oriented research between AIT and
Canadian or local partners on subject areas in
three sub-sectors of water and sanitation, solid
waste management, and air pollution in order to
enhance sound urban environmental management and
good practices in Southeast Asia cities.
Research Agenda and Themes JAR aims to
investigated situations, practices, and policies
pitched at the level of the community and/or at
the city related to the three aforementioned sub
sectors. All proposals are expected to
incorporated gender equality as an important
issue. The problem statement, plan, methods,
outcomes, and output of the joint-action research
should have a clear and explicit gender-sensitive
and equality perspective.
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
2. Components and structure of research proposal
2.1 Documents required for Proposal Submission
2.2 Basic Outline of Research Proposal
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
2. Component and structure of research proposal
2.1 Documents required for Proposal Submission

• Full research proposal

• Joint Action Research (JAR) Budget Estimation
  Form
• The form can be downloaded at
• http//www.sea-uema.ait.ac.th/download/jar/JAR
  Budget.xls

• Gender Analysis Checklist in Research Design
• The completed form will be accompanied with
  the proposal and
• budget form for evaluation during the
  selection process. The form can
• also be downloaded at
• http//www.seauema.ait.ac.th/download/jar/gend
  eranalysischecklist.doc

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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
2. Component and structure of research proposal
(Cont.)
2.2 Basic Outline of Research Proposal

• Title Page
• should be straightforward, clear and concise.
• Introduction (1-2 pages max.)
• should give the basic background information
  about the problem focus to be investigated and
  the significance of the research topic.
• Statement of the Problem (1 page max.)
• should summarize the core issue/s being explored
  or understood, and around which solutions for
  change will be proposed.
• Research Objectives (1 page max.)
• should discuss (a) what are the expected ways by
  which existing knowledge about the problem will
  be enhanced and (b) how will this enhanced
  knowledge ability on the problem lead to positive
  actions in the community or city.
• Research Plan and Methods
• should present an outline of the way the research
  will be conducted (i.e. sources, types and forms
  of data needed to fulfill the tasks, the method
  of selecting the data and the methods of
  collecting, and analyzing the data).

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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
2. Component and structure of research proposal
(Cont.)

• Expected outcomes or benefits
• should provide information about the intended
  action implications of the research. It should
  show how the direct stakeholders can benefit from
  the findings as well as how other communities or
  cities may benefit from them.

• Communication of findings
• a discussion on how the findings of the research
  can be communicated to the public.

• Timetable
• Proposal should include a breakdown of activities
  with corresponding realistic timelines. The
  preferable duration of each project is 6-12
  months length.

• Budget (Please provide the total amount within
  the proposal and use JAR Budget Estimation Form
  to provide the budget detail)

•    References All references in the body of the
  proposal should be put.

•   Researchers and Institutional Profile
• The section should give basic information about
  the institution applying, with especial emphasis
  on its track record in research work. The
  institutions immediate or future counterpart
  contribution to this research should also be
  discussed.

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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
3. Evaluation criteria of SEA-UEMA Project and
how to operationalize them in a proposal
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
Evaluation criteria weight score
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
Evaluation criteria weight score

• Level of institutional commitment by potential
  partner group to the research project

8
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
Examples on Operational zing Criteria into
Proposals

• Significance of the topic in terms of
  understanding specific challenges for improving
  service provisioning in the three sub-sectors

Criterion 1 15
The research work that we propose will address
three interrelated issues concerning air quality
management in Kuala Lumpur i) poor organization
and communication among stakeholders, ii)
insufficient publicly available data on
heightened air pollutant concentrations near
emission sources, and iii) a disproportionate
exposure to air pollution by women and the urban
poor. It is unlikely that any real progress can
be made in preventing a deterioration of air
quality without addressing all three of these
issues. (from part of MUSTs research objective)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
The information will be used to develop a
suitable assessment methodology for improving
informal networks of waste collection and recycle
through innovative arrangements on SWM system. .
The knowledge and formulation about a suitable
assessment and supports will be implemented
through actions such as training, workshop and
technical assistant both for people in informal
networks and local government that involve
directly to the SWM system. The action will be
conducted in order to increasing communication
and cooperation between LGU and people in the
informal networks and building local capacity to
deal with the increasing of solid waste.
(from part of URDIs research objective)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
women are the main collector, conveyor, user
and manger for household need and as promoter in
activities related to sanitation in their homes
and in their communities. Problems are 1)
whether the citizen especially women know their
roles on water and sanitation basic service, and
for policy instrument. (Statement of Problem,
PALAWA Association) this participatory action
research will provide data and information of
water and sanitation basic service for the
beneficiaries. Specifically regulations for the
citizen and women participation in water and
sanitation sector. (Research Objective, PALAWA
Association)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
.1. Use of existing secondary data such as.
2. Undertake field research and
interventions.there are eight steps in community
mobilization 2.1 Round table discussion with
local stakeholders including local municipal gov.
officers, farm owners, youth and conducted to
identify problems of the study areas and to
inform the community about research. 2.2 Conduct
first round data collection through 2.2.1
Develop community mapping by . 2.2.2 Conduct
in-depth interviews with key informants by
using 2.2.3 Conduct a survey on
self-report of use of chemical substance.
(from part of IPSRs research methods)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
the project will be timely as the Penang State
Government is on the edge of selecting a system
of SWM to be implemented at the state level. The
findings of the survey will provide useful
information to help the government with better
planning and selection of appropriate
system(Expected Outcomes and benefit, SERI)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
building on SERIs past experiences in
promoting recycling activities, especially with
the successful implementation of the UNDP
sponsored project on PPP in community waste
recycling, household composting training, SERI
intends to take our initiatives on sustainable
SWM one step further through this
project.(from part of Introduction of SERI
proposal)
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Joint Action Research, SEA-UEMA Project
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Joint Action ResearchSEA-UEMA Projecthttp//www.
sea-uema.ait.ac.th/jar.htm
Thank you.