Community surveys: the benefits and sacrifices

Community-based research is becoming more important, especially with the introduction of the RDP and the changing role of NGOs. Community surveys are a part of this new research approach. This paper enters the debate around the role and importance of surveys. A case study of a community survey done in Mfuleni by the Western Cape Community Partnership Project will be used to illustrate the points made. Key considerations are raised in terms of the potential for the community survey to be useful. These include the role of the survey in providing information and assisting in the process of the development of the project as a whole. In addition the cost effectiveness plus the ethical and political dimensions are considered. In the course of the survey important lessons were learned that could benefit others also doing research of this type. Issues raised include the importance of the presence of specific research skills being part of the team throughout the project, the importance of full negotiation of access, being clear in terms of objectives and the questions to be asked, sampling issues, problems of questions demanding memory recall, community participation and spreading of skills, and the dissemination of results.