Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Rule of Law Research

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative research can lay the basis for rule of law interventions that are rooted in sound evidence and responsive to local community interests, aspirations, values, and demands. Without grounded knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research, researchers' results can easily be erroneous (as a result of, for example, poorly designed interview protocols and questionnaires). Indeed, it is an unfortunate truth that rule of law interventions are continually critiqued for being planned on the basis of inadequate research and information, and for producing unsatisfactory results.

INPROL's new Practitioner's Guide on Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches to Rule of Law Research was drafted to assists practitioners in structuring research. It clarifies common research terminology and concepts, and outlines the steps involved in designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research.

The Guide recognizes that high-quality research is an essential element of the design and evaluation of rule of law programs. It is also a useful way of enhancing a practitioner's personal information needs, as conducting rule of law research can be overwhelming for the practitioner who has little previous experience. Where do you start? What components do you need to factor into your plans? What kind of research do you need to conduct? These difficult questions are even harder to address in a conflict-affected environment, where access to research participants (i.e., the people participating in research) may be difficult; information may be scarce and difficult to evaluate; and the researcher may find it hard to travel because of security risks.

Keywords: rule of law, research, methods, methodologies, development