“Although COVID-19 presents multiple challenges to traditional methods of research, there are opportunities for research firms to provide unique insights into communities that need in-depth research the most.” -Managing Director, Includovate Research Centre plc, Ethiopia, Ms. Elsa Belay
What are the challenges for research in a COVID-19 world?
1. Out of country out of mind. Data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for any organisation looking to conduct research. A researchers’ inability to travel due to COVID restrictions poses difficulties when connecting with communities that the researcher is not located in. Although travel is anticipated to increase in the next 6 to 8 months, the likelihood of restrictions being reimposed off and on will continue to hamper long-term data collection efforts. This is a major roadblock for research firms to overcome given the necessity of collecting rich quantitative and qualitative data for projects.
2. Human-to-human connection. Using technology to ‘fill the gap’ between the inability to travel and the need for data outputs has become the global norm in the research industry. This is mirrored in workplaces globally, with videotelephony software, such as Zoom becoming a popular platform to connect with others. However, in a research field that often deals with highly sensitive topics, the lack of human-to-human connection can hinder accurate and in-depth data collection. Furthermore, many impoverished communities are relatively isolated and unable to access the type of internet connections that enable this style of engagement. These factors in combination could mean technology is unable to truly bridge the gap between researchers and respondents.
3. COVID-19 blinkers. The World Bank, based on current models of the COVID-19 economic recession, recently reported that 24 million fewer people in the East Asia and Pacific region are projected to escape poverty. However, several ongoing research projects currently ask participants questions that relate to pre-COVID environments that may no longer exist today. Understandably, it cannot be expected of participants to don blinkers and provide insights that relate to a pre-COVID environment. This represents a failure to adapt to the new challenges in delivering existing research projects during the COVID-19 crisis and addressing the growing economic and health difficulties that have arisen.
“During our nationwide study in Ethiopia, we conducted interviews over the phone. Despite using informed consent statements that explained the research and why we could not conduct the interview face-to-face, some respondents really found it strange to have a phone interview. The Ethiopian culture is one of personal connection. We overcame this remoteness barrier by beginning each interview with a personal exchange of information. This helped our respondents feel more at ease.” -Women’ policy review study Team Leader, Ethiopia, Ms. Kiya G
“24 million fewer people will escape poverty compared with pre-COVID projections”
-Lowy Institute 2020 Report
What are the opportunities for research in a COVID-19 world?
1. Connect with in-country research leads. As COVID-19 restrictions continue to limit the ability for out-of-country researchers to travel, the need for in-country researchers increases. This situation provides a unique opportunity for organisations like Includovate that have researchers all over the world to better connect research operations between the Global North and Global South. As an industry that has remained divided between developed and developing countries, the research sector now finds itself uniquely poised to gain from capacity building in the Global South. Instead of flying in a researcher from overseas, research organisations can establish roots and connections with researchers from and physically in the countries they are needing to collect data from. This is better for the environment and better for building research careers in the global south.
2. Formation of new and agile research firms. A McKinsey & Company July 2020 report highlighted the focus of firms on rapid and increased innovation to overcome the challenges posed by a post-COVID world. When traditional data collection methods must be adjusted, agile research firms like Includovate can leverage their relative youth and inclusivity-based focus to better overcome these challenges and produce meaningful data, especially in the Global South, where significant lack of data may lead to misunderstanding. McKinsey & Company highlight that firms with larger bureaucratic structures may struggle with change and ultimately may not recover in a post-COVID environment. This represents a potential void in the industry into which newer firms can rapidly move by including technological and inclusivity-based solutions to outpace large firms.
“During a global crisis, such as COVID-19, it is crucial that research and insights are gathered in the communities that need it the most. COVID has exacerbated inequalities. This is all the more reason to figure out how to conduct remote data collection ethically and responsibly with those population groups that are most likely to miss out — children, people with disabilities, illiterate women, female entrepreneurs in low-income settings, refugees… — Includovate has risen to this challenge over the past 9 months. It hasn’t been easy, but I am proud of the efforts and progress we have made.” -Includovate CEO Dr. Kristie Drucza
The plug…
Includovate is a research incubator that designs solutions for inequality and exclusion. Includovate was established in 2019 to address an identified gap in the market: namely, the failure to develop participatory and innovative methodologies to understand the root causes of social exclusion and to develop change processes to support organisations, sectors, and communities to tackle these challenges. Includovate is uniquely positioned to support change in research practice. A key goal of Includovate is to build research careers in the Global South. We also aim to ensure those who are being studied are part of the data collection and analysis — nothing about us without us. It is our ethical duty to continue to produce research with disadvantaged communities post-COVID-19.
Our clients have often marveled at our ‘can-do’ attitude and nimble ways. We pride ourselves on being innovative and inclusive and we can’t do this by being cumbersome or dictatorial.’ – Head of Partnerships and Communication, Includovate, Ms Kanika Joshi
To explore ways of partnering with Includovate and how we can help your organisation, click here!
Credits
This blog has been curated with the help of volunteers at Includovate. We want to thank them for all for the time that they dedicate to Includovate. As a growing start up – they all have been really helpful in supporting our work in communications. Shoutout to Celia Loudia who has been incharge of most creatives and Snehaa/Salman, among others for their support over November 2020 to present. We wish you all good luck!
References
World Bank, 2020, ‘East Asia and Pacific in the Time of COVID-19’, World Bank East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, April 2020, https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/687741585671139881/pdf/World-Bank-East-Asia-and-Pacific-Economic-Update-April-2020-East-Asia-and-Pacific-in-the-Time-of-COVID-19.pdf