In-depth look at ISACS 05.10Conducting small arms and light weapons surveys

Purpose & Scope

Ownership & follow-up

Security, sensitivity & ethics

Partnerships

Survey methodology

Processing & disseminating findings

Module overview

United Nations framework

UN Programme of Action

urges the development and support of

“action-oriented research aimed at facilitating greater awareness and better understanding of the nature and scope of the problems associated with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”

(section III, paragraph 18)

Purpose of an SALW Survey

Collection & analysis of comprehensive quantitative and qualitative information on small arms and light weapons within a specific geographical area (e.g. region, country or community) with a view to determining the need for and nature of safe, effective and efficient interventions by appropriate stakeholders to address problems associated with the illicit trade, uncontrolled proliferation and/or misuse of small arms and light weapons.

Core Survey Components

1. Contextual analysis

2. Distribution assessment

3. Impact survey

4. Perception survey

5. Capacity assessment

Security, sensitivity & ethics

Security for survey staff and survey respondents

Sensitivity to local customs and norms (especially in relation to women & children)

Ethical considerations when engaging with children and other vulnerable groups

Survey methodology

Focusing on key social groups

Sex & age disaggregation

Quantitative & qualitative methods

Data to be collected (small arms, health, crime, etc.)

Questionnaires

Key informant interviews

Focus group discussions

Participatory research methods

Presentation of findings

Structure of a survey report

Confidentiality

Validation

Dissemination

Accessibility

Building capacity for data gathering & analysis