Doing research in rural Asia: problem of methods

Researchers need not only expertise in research methods but also skills in human relations. Deeply held rural values even require the researcher to make allowances for refreshments, lunch and gifts to facilitate data-gathering. Flowery and roundabout styles of expression are preferred to direct and precise messages. Without doubt, Western social research methods suffer many limitations in the Asian rural milieu. The authors discuss specifically the problems encountered in doing surveys — which appear to be overused in Asia — as well as case studies and field experiments.