4.4 Getting Started

An EAR researcher is always working, as a member of a team. An EAR researcher is not an outsider who has come to 'evaluate' or 'judge' an ICT initiative, but an insider who is there to help make it more effective.

Through EAR, you are encouraging your initiative to continually ask the 4 key questions set out in the Introduction to EAR section:

1. What are we trying to do?
2. How are we trying to do it?
3. How well are we doing?
4. How can we do it differently/better?

You are building a research culture, animating activities and helping the initiative to remain focused on it purpose and goals, and to alter them in the light of new knowledge built out of carefully planned and executed research.

This process is ongoing - it is cyclical. In other words, EAR keeps going, but at each stage the initiative is better informed and is developing from a position of growing strength.

Now you have learned how to develop research plans, you are ready to start applying EAR in your local initiative.

Keep this handbook close for reference - many of the skills in this handbook can only be perfected over time and through practicing them.

You are now an EAR researcher. Remember to keep a notebook with you at all times...