Observing the Language of Research, Campaigns, and Advocacies

Research - is a pursuit of trust with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment, the
search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem
(Kothari (2006)

Things that you must take into consideration in doing research:

1. Bias – This is when only one side of a discussion is presented.

Kinds of Bias:
a. Intentional – This occurs when a person or group deliberately alters data to change
the results of an experiment or study.
b. Exaggeration – This takes place when a certain individual or group tries to
overemphasize the positive or negative effects of the subject being studied.
c. Omission – This bias happens when there are information or views that are not
presented in the data provided.
d. Biased sample – This occurs when the respondents for a certain survey or process of
data gathering belong to the population that mainly gains something from the
subject of the study.

2. Reliability – This refers to whether or not you get the same answer by using an instrument to
measure something more than once. Research reliability is the degree to which research
method produces stable and consistent results.

3. Validity – Research validity in surveys relates to the extent at which the survey measures
right elements that need to be measured. Validity refers to how well an instrument is as it
measures what it is intended to measure.

4. Credibility – This is involved in establishing that the results of the research are believable.
This is a classic example of ‘quality not quantity’.

Advocacy - This is a carefully considered, planned process to influence multiple stakeholders to

achieve specified outcomes. Within the development context, it may include representing the needs
and interests of disadvantaged and marginalized groups before those who have the power to make
or influence change.

Campaign - A campaign is a planned project over a given period of time to achieve specific advocacy
goals. Therefore, campaigning can be seen as the process of advancing advocacy.