Research Proposal Presentation

Scott Ingram

Qualitative Research Methodology

Professor Roberson

January 9, 2009

The role of social and cultural factors in water and sanitation

development in Vietnam

Purpose of the Study

•Comparing the usage of cultural values and social networks in a local CSO project and an international donor project

•Recommendation of transferable practices to increase success for future projects

Definitions of Keywords

• Cultural• Social• Local CSO• Actors

Country Background

Percentage of Households with access to safe water

(Vietnam Environment Monitor 2003, World Bank)

•Poverty 22% in 2005

•HDI 114 out of 179

•By 2010 - Clean water to 75% of rural people

(Vietnam PRSP 2006-2010)

Problem Background

Dong Nai River Basin Pollutants (Hoang, Hanh Duc 2008)

• Organic Pollutants 30x higher than VEPA standards

• Coliforms 3-168x higher

• Heavy Metals 10-12x higher

Sources of Water Pollution in Vietnam

(Vietnam Agenda 21, Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2008)

Culture in Development

•Economic -> Social

•CSOs in Vietnam•Political aspects

Perspective

•Actor-oriented approach•Actors•Practices•Networks•Interfaces•Patterns

Methods

•Qualitative Research•Semi-structured interviews•Participant-observation

•Dong Nai River Basin – Mekong•Water Environment Management Projects•Investigation of two cases:

•community CSO project•international donor organized project