Photo credit: G.

Dubourthoumieu / Handicap International

COLLECTING and COLLECTORS:

Finding Force in Fragile Fragments

A study on the needs assessment and data collection capacities of civil society
members working in the fields of peace building and development
in Syria

Research Report v.2

Page | 1
 Is data as they say the first casualty of war?

Abstract

Syrian civil society demonstrates, at a time of dire violence, a strong potential and need to engage
in actions that in a self-determined manner might change at least elements of the situation.
Among the few options still available to civil society, research and data collection, represents one
of the spaces of action and activism and it manifests itself in the numerous data collection and
documentation projects where both the use of technology as well as the relatively high level of
professional preparation of many members are enablers.

Whereas research plays a crucial role in conflict situations in several ways: as a possibility and
source of crucial information needed for assessment and interventions, as a peacebuilding activity
in itself (checking, working and building trust) and as a repository of truths and restorative justice
practice, and experiences that could play a crucial role in reconciliation and prevention, the main
use of the data analysis and research results right now in Syria is around assessment and
documentation.

The capacities and recognition of conducting needs assessment, especially through classic
quantitative methods, but also using some qualitative tools (interviews and observations) are
rather strong and there is a general recognition and awareness of the conflict-sensitive research
methodologies as well as the Do No Harm principles. Many of the professionals engaged in the
development, humanitarian and peacebuilding sectors already have a base in research methods
and capacities for analysis. However, the level of targeted preparation regarding specific tools
(such as protocols and codes of conducts and trauma-sensitive interviewing techniques) is rather
low. The same applies for an in-depth understanding of the principles and dynamics of ‘Do No
Harm’ methods when doing research (ie what are the implicit ethical messages when we conduct
research and questionnaires on issues such as governance)

The challenges in terms of conducting research and data analysis are related to the general
difficulties faced by society in times of conflict, the conflict situation and to the resources and
capacities available to civil society engaged in this type of activities.

Page | 2
The fragmentation of society decreases the trust to a very minimum, thus making access to
databases and information scarce.

Given all these elements, the main conclusion is that in a climate of fragmentation data collection
and sound and sensitive needs analysis are an essential condition for peace and development
work. Furthermore these activities represent a lifeline of society and of professional civil society.
Thus, increasing support in terms of capacity building for specific conflict-sensitive research, with
an emphasis on qualitative research and Do No Harm elements and an emphasis on creating
cohesion among research groups operating inside Syria are directions that a potential capacity
building programme might take.

Background and Methodology

The research comes in the context of the Tutoring Syrian Talents to Tackle Transition project,
aiming to scope the relevant needs and opportunities in the fields of data collection and needs
assessment methods and to identify specifically the interest among civil society to receive engage
in further training on this topic. The main thematic areas considered were the arenas of civil
society intervention in the fields of peace building, stabilization, demobilization, rebuilding human
capital, good governance, return of IDPs and youth work.

The initial scope of the research, whose ambition was to cover all areas of Syria, was slightly
changed due to the highly volatile situation and the personal displacement or unavailability of
some of the research subjects but maintained a coverage both among civil society structures from
different governorates in Syria (Damascus, Al-Hasakah, Idlib, Ar-Raqqah and Homs) as well as
significant Syrian communities and NGOs working in development cooperation and peacebuilding
programmes outside Syria (Turkey, UK, Lebanon, Jordan, Italy and Germany).

The main methods used in the research were:

• Desk Research. The desk research included a review of publications available

(mostly English but also some Arabic language) but also a review of different
online databases. The desk research included as well a brief review of the role of
research in conflict settings and the relevance of research for peacebuilding.

Page | 3
 • Questionnaires. The questionnaires (done in doc form or monkeysurvey (English
and Arabic versions) and shared through the researcher’s network) were a quick
insight into the competencies and the use of main data collection and research
methods as well into the main sources of data for civil society members and the
basic awareness of the conflict-sensitive research methods. They also tested the
need and availability to engage in further training on this topic.

• Semi-Structured Interviews (mostly conducted through Skype or WhatsApp). The

interviews, were building upon the questionnaires and they were a chance to
explore more in depth the take that civil society actors have in relation to the
availability, use and function of research in the field of peacebuilding.

The caveats of this research consist in the limited time available to conduct research, the difficulty
to conduct face-to-face interviews (thus the limitations of using internet as the medium of
communication and transmission of data), the language which mostly was English although Arabic
was also used for the questionnaires and translation was used in a few interviews. Also the
geographical coverage of the survey which did not cover all governorates in Syria was a limitation.
To note, however that the scope was to be comprehensive but rather attempting to capture a
representative sample.

Literature and Desk Review – Available Data and Role of Data Collection and
Analysis in Peacebuilding

The desk review looked at a) what conflict-sensitive research is and building upon that, b) the
elements of conflict-sensitive research that are to be found in the studies and testimonies that
cover Syrian civil society working in peacebuilding, governance, IDPs, good governance and other
themes of the project.

Peace Research, conflict Research Review

Like any other type of intervention during a conflict, research comes within an intensely political
environment, and researchers face the challenge of being seen as partial, selfish, and having to
work with fragmented, partial or distorted data.

Conflict-sensitive research, or Do No Harm in research and data collection implies both attention
to the researcher and her research subjects, implies both a comprehensive, participatory and

Page | 4
multi-partial context analysis and the investigation and search for common visions, implies both a
careful monitoring of situation and a particular monitoring as to what the intended and non-
intended consequences of the development or peace interventions are.

Jonathan Goodhand (2000) captures a very synthetic yet clear set of risks and duties that
researchers in a war setting have to undergo. As he mentions, in contexts characterized by
militarized violence, widespread abuse of rights and liberties and a culture of threat and impunity,
the main factors that need to be considered when doing research are safety, confidentiality,
managing the expectations that researchers create and also the awareness and care towards
opening old wounds. Building upon the Do No Harm framework developed by Collaborative for
Development Action, Goodhand points out to the following factors and criteria that are to be put
in place when doing research during war such as: blending in within the context and society
where the research is taking place, constant monitoring of the security situation, obtaining
informed consent, consider and examine power relations, being transparent about the research
process, develop methodological flexibility and knowing the time when to stop (p. 14).

Schopper (et al 2015) looking mostly of the work of Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF) points out that
in humanitarian settings, research “should not be regarded as a set of rigid standards fixed for all
time and in all contexts” (p.2), and rather the focus of researchers is on applying in a flexible and
adaptive manner the principles of collaborative partnership, providing social value and
maintaining a high dedication to scientific value.

Reviewing the history of peace research from Niccolo Machiavelli to the work of Johan Galtung,
Hoglund and Oberg (2011) look deeply of the nature of peace research and provide a critical
insight into the sources used in research with a focus on media and empirical sources, then move
to looking at comparative field research using their own experience in establishing the Uppsala
Conflict Data Program (UCDP) and finally describe the challenges and practices with the most
used data collection methods namely interviews, focus groups and surveys. They note that the
existing support in literature (and I would add in training as well) is mostly exclusively directed
toward interviewing techniques and surveys, namely the quantitative technical research methods
and where available towards qualitative methods for field research derived mostly from
anthropological practice. Hoglund and Oberg point towards the areas of conflict assessment
(conflict behavior, actors, issues and events), perceptions/motivations/attitudes and structural
conditions as the three areas where researchers have the task to dive in and also have the

Page | 5
challenge of using the most appropriate methods for the respective contexts. They also point out
the main ethical considerations when doing research, namely:

• Are there potential risks for the participants (interviewees, informants, survey
respondents) from their involvement in the study?
• How can I ensure the anonymity of my informant?
• How do I inform potential participants in my study about the purpose of it so that
they can make an informed decision on whether to participate?

• How are my collaborating parties affected by the study I am doing?

• How can I ensure that the data I collect is securely stored? (2011, p 19)

In terms of source criticism the four factors to be considered by researchers identified by Hoglund
and Oberg are: Identification, Proximity, Dependence and Bias (p 188). The researcher needs to
analyse each one of these in relation to his/her data sources and to the extents possible
triangulate information.

The above mention works provide a good base reading and material for a training programme on
peace research and needs analysis.

Databases and Data Sources on the Syrian Conflict

Several needs assessments conducted (such as the Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment prepared on
behalf of the Humanitarian Liaison Group in 2015) demonstrate both a high capacity to conduct
needs assessment as well as an impressive amount of data collected in the most difficult
situations. The focus is in most cases on humanitarian issues and often the efforts are
coordinated through specialized UN agencies (such as OCHA, UNHCR, WHO etc) as some of the
respondents mentioned.

Some of the on-line databases have the immediate purpose to provide lifelines and support to
relief and development workers and they spread across different sectors including:

• Road infrastructure mapping

(https://www.mapbox.com/blog/openstreetmap-data-in-syria/_ )
 Refugee resource mapping

Page | 6
 (http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php or

http://www.refugeesmap.info/

• News, HR violations and Detainees http://www.syriahr.com/en/

• Open source conflict map: https://syria.liveuamap.com/ or

http://syriancivilwarmap.com/

Others serve as a repository of data and could play an important role in transitional processes:

• Human rights violations documentations http://www.vdcsy.info/index.php/en/about ;

• Accountability and Transitional Justice: https://syriaaccountability.org/database/

The above databases, and others that exist and that were not included as examples due to the
limited time available for this study, reveal in terms of the needs assessment capacities and
resources a dense network of field workers and researchers as well as an infrastructure of
information and communication that is already in place. In many of the studied cases the work is
coordinated from outside the country (where also the analysis is being made) while the field work
is done inside.

Civil society in Syria

Having played a mostly symbolic role (charity and professional associations bodies) and being
highly controlled by the Damascus leadership, civil society and associative movements have
increased in numbers and visibility after the uprising. The Citizens for Syria project report (2005)
included a comprehensive mapping of civil society organisations, including over 800 organisations
active in Syria, with almost 650 entities working inside the country and the rest operating from
international locations. The study reveals the heterogeneity of civil society activity both in terms
of size of the groups working on specific issues and in terms of the scope of their work.

Emergency and Relief, Media and Communication and Civil Society and Advocacy are by far the
largest activity areas of civil society at the moment, with significant differences across regions.

Page | 7
 Source: Citizens for Syria,
p. 13

The same study reveals that 6 percent (24) of the surveyed organisations engage in research
work, with only 6 organisations being active inside Syria and 18 being based outside Syria. The
main topic of research is represented by social and political issues, and while some of the
organisations offer consultancy (as also an indication on how the research is used) only one
mentions advocacy as a secondary activity.

The following graph illustrates the geographical distribution of the civil society organisations
being included in the study.

Page | 8
Source: Citizens for Syria, p. 13

Activism in Difficult Times (2013) and The Syrian Nonviolent Movements, Perspectives from the
Ground (2015) outline recommendations for internal and international actors in order to further
support Syrian civil society. Building upon the findings of the two works the following elements
become relevant in the context of the current research:

• The crucial role that Syrian civil society needs to play now in all different stages of
peacebuilding, peacemaking and restorative justice and transition and the need to
support members especially in the preparation for post-war engagement, a phase where
the civil society did not experience;

• The fact that the nonviolent movement and civil society is not only young but also fragile
and sometimes “fragmented, dispersed across a disconnected geography” (Dalwaty, p. 8)

• The fact that civil society members often provide the lifeline of civilians through provision
of services, maintaining hope and an impetus of voice and civil society action etc.

Page | 9
 • The high degree of burn-out and risk that the members of civil society are facing needs to
be taken into account, including the reliance on members on the ground when doing
research and be providers of crucial first-hand information

• The alarm signal to the international community that because of the fact that they
“operate in a climate of ignorance, patchy social cohesion and ideological warfare”
(Ramadan et al 2014 p. 5) the attention to the realities of the ground needs to be
extremely high and operating without proper needs assessment or external superficial
“consultant-like” analysis can cause harm.

Findings from Interviews and Questionnaires

The findings from the interviews and survey conducted are presented according to the main
objectives of the research plan, namely to understand the profile and capacities of Syrian civil
society actors in terms of doing research and data analysis, to look at data sources used in a
time of conflict, to map the main uses of the data gathered and analysed and to grasp the
understanding and coping with the challenges and risks involved in data collection and
research.

Profile and Capacities of the Syrian Civil Society Actors regarding research and data analysis

Since the 2011 uprising, the Syrian civil society underwent a process of defining itself and
consolidation although operating in very difficult circumstances. Its role passed from charity
and professional associative nature to an increasing orientation towards humanitarian relief,
human rights monitoring, training and capacity building, service-provision, research, political
and social issues and advocacy. The experience of activities characteristic for post-war
situations (reintegration, reconciliation, good governance) do not appear in mapping surveys
although some organisations have as an objective to prepare themselves to play a role in the
transition phase.

The interviewees work predominantly active in the fields of peacebuilding, relief and
development as shown in the diagram bellow. The other field included (from findings through

Page | 10
the interviews) youth work, humanitarian interventions and civil society seen as an
independent focus and field.

Field of Work

2, 2%
9, 8%
27, 23%
stabilisation
demobilisation
42, 36%
rebuilding human capital

37, 31% good governance

reintegration
other

One remarkable fact about the Syrian civil society actors is their professional capacities and this
includes capacities in doing research in conflict-affected areas. With some academic
background mathematical processing of data, over 70% of the interviewees have receive
training and demonstrate basic awareness on data collection methods (questionnaires and
interviews) and also basic processing. Hence the recommendation that arises is that capacity
building programmes should rather focus on the quality aspects and advanced methods for of
data collection and on the further stages of analysis, processing and use of data.

Another characteristic of Syrian civil society is the relatively high engagement of women, an
engagement which, according to Ghazzawi et al (2015) was sustained and even increased after
2011. While challenges relate to personal security, lack of access to decision makers and lack of
voice (especially in IS-controlled areas), the advantages of women engaging in civil society is the
focus on areas of capacity formulation and development, which are key sectors for longer term
societal processes, as well as an emancipation of women which happens during violent conflict
times, when women are faced with the need and sometimes the possibility to take decision

Page | 11
making roles and management roles in the family but also in society. Specifically looking at the
peacebuilding field, women’s actions include “spreading awareness on peaceful coexistence and
nonviolent conflict resolution, combating child recruitment, education for peace and promoting equal
human rights and spreading legal awareness.” (Ghazzawi et al p.36) all areas highly relevant for the
scope of the current project.

Most interviewees have received training on data collection, data analysis, research methods
and M&E methods and the vast majority during training seminars. Only a quarter of the
interviewees have received training on data structuring and use, and for those it was mainly
through self-education.

The interviews revealed a high level of knowledge and preparedness for classic needs
assessment and research namely interviews, questionnaires and focus groups as the main
methods used. The NGO representatives specifically having research as a programmatic
component were well prepared and also identified that the gap exists when it comes with
training and maintaining field workers in data collection.

Another finding is the limited knowledge and capacities for qualitative, innovative methods for
data collection such as storytelling, participatory observation, discourse and text analysis etc.
One interviewee referred to the fact that in the context in which training the team is limited by
the time available and increasingly so by the means of communication (trainings starting to
take place more and more online given to the harsh security situation) the tendency is to focus
on quantitative research as it is easier to be applied through set structures
(questionnaires/forms) that later can be collected and interpreted at headquarters. Survey and
interview field work literacy is achieved, yet there is still a limited capacity to design and
analyse the findings.

Similarly, familiarity with the concept of Do No

"Do no harm" in Data collection and researches
Harm exists, yet few direct specific references means that collecting data and information for the
to conflict-sensitive research methods (such as sake of the project/research must not contradict
with the safety and wellbeing of the
ethic codes, data securing, psychosocial
beneficiaries/participants and should consider their
culture and feelings.

- Civil Society Member,

Page |Turkey
12
trauma care etc). Either associated directly with the peacebuilding process Do No Harm,
associated with the medical principle or simply interpreted literally, Do No Harm is understood
as the responsibility of researchers to be aware of the context where they operate and protect
their research subjects. Only 5% of the respondents however made specific references to in-
depth methods for achieving this in practice. Among the responses received were working with
confidentiality and anonymity and also awareness of the context where the research is taking
place and not involving in research people that might be putting themselves at excessive risks.

Data Sources

In a context where information is seen as available yet rather chaotic and sometimes
unreliable, triangulation of data is seen as essential and at the same time there is a very high
degree of reliability on own data collection and processing processes. This is seen in the very
high proportion of respondents that single out articles, publications and self-conducted
interviews as their main data sources.

What are the main data sources that you

use?
Scholarly Articles

7, 9% 11, 15% 1, 1% Facebook

5, 7%

On-line Databases
10, 14%
40, 54% Books and publications

Self-conducted Interviews and

Surveys
Project reports

Page | 13
Although media is a big source of information and there are many news reports on the ongoing
situations, the respondents of the interviews mentioned that it is still difficult to identify the
truth among different fragmented perspectives and that they still rely very much on own team
reports from the field first and furthermost. While Facebook and other online platforms are
used as an ‘altering’ and communication mechanisms they are not trusted in terms of data
collection and research platforms. One reason is the fact that online data is highly censored and
also it can be easily putting researchers in vulnerable positions.

As the graph bellow shows, generally all the processes around data collection are seen as
challenging but not very challenging by the majority of the respondents. While it might be
surprising that in the context of war, people still see the research process as not challenging,
some of the interviewees highlighted that although there is a strong climate of mistrust, still the
newly formed civil society has managed to be seen as legitimate in many regions.

Not Challenging 10 1

Somewhat Challenging 54 19
Data AVAILABILITY
Data QUALITY

32 33 25 Data COLLECTION POSIBILITIES

Challenging

Very Challenging 22 5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Several respondents have expressed the fact that there

is a high degree of interdependence between the
quality of data, the theme on which the data is
collected, and the geography of political control on the
It is always easier to have numbers and
statistical information than political views
and opinions and most of the time we get the
“politically correct” answers.
- Civil Society Member, Syria
Page | 14
site of the research. Political data, and particularly qualitative information around it is highly
limited, especially in areas controlled by the Assad regime and ISIS. In Kurdish areas the focus is
often on civil peace (positive peace) and co-existence among different ethnicities. In Aleppo
human rights violations but also child recruitment and transitional justice. In ISIS controlled
areas the level of activity is among the lowest and includes mainly attempts to record and
document human rights situation.

Main Uses of Data Gathered

Generally the data use is centered around project work and in some cases advocacy. The use of
data for better informing own projects (needs analysis and monitoring and realignment) is the
main domain where data collected is used.

When looking at the frequency of needs assessments the majority of respondents mentioned
that they conduct it for every project.

Frequency

3, 6%

For every project

25, 50%
22, 44% Several Times during a Project

Once for Several Different

Projects

Civil society members with specific background in the field of conflict transformation and ‘Do
No Harm’ have mentioned that actually in highly volatile contexts, when not only the security

Page | 15
situation is changing fast but also there is a continuous change of actors and socio-economic
profiles and indicators the needs assessment is needed several times a year.

If project work remains the main use, a few respondents mentioned the pooling of the data
with other organisations in order to better coordinate activities and this is also one of the main
purposes of online databases. Yet, this type of use is limited due to still a high degree of
mistrust among different actors and skepticism towards the validity and legitimacy of the data.

When it comes to the use of data, and also the distribution We don’t keep data inside Syria
of advocacy organisations several respondents have
- Civil Society Member,
indicated an outflow of data towards outside Syria where Turkeyt
most of the watchdog groups are situated and also where for certain groups working inside but
coordinated from outside the data is analysed. Due to the security situation also the data is not
held within the country as a precaution mechanism for the members.

Another aspect where data is used is advocacy with some of the civil society groups involved
having collected data in order to push the political processes into acting with more urgency for
the cessation of bombing and a negotiated solution. At the same time, the length of the armed
conflict and the insecurity created a feeling of lack of support and data is collected in some
cases now as a repository of truths and a capital for future processes of healing, honouring the
victims of war and of restorative justice and reconciliation.

Challenges and Risks in Data Collection and Research

The challenges that appear in doing research during war are multiple. The volatility of the
situation, the fragmentation of society and
Activist often have little awareness of each other’s work
thus data and of teams of researchers, the low and particularly media doesn’t cover the work of civil
level of trust and participation, the danger that society. There is a lot of coverage about what's
happening in Geneva, the fight against ISIS but not on
the researchers and their subjects put what is happening inside Syria with civil society.
themselves through and often the tendency to
Civil Society Member, Turkey

Page | 16
exaggerate to be judgmental and highly emotional about the situation in one way or another
are the most often mentioned in interviews. The challenges that appear because we talk about
a relatively new body of civil society researchers add
Amidst so many misconceptions
onto those and include the need for further training about the situation in Syria the access
and capacity building, limited financial, logistic and to data from the ground is limited,
and many activists are having to deal
technical resources, the need to establish and with the high emotional stress of
consolidate trust and insufficient cooperation in order having families and friends being
under high risk.
to obtain solid data, the need to be particularly careful
at elements of do no harm and protection of data and Researcher, UK

subjects through the act of research. A third level of challenges are inherent to the fiber and
nature of Syrian society and include gender relations and the unequal participation of women,
local regional power and affirmation dynamics, the consequences of living in a totalitarian
society and with that the numbing fear of oppression and limitation when it comes to accessing
and exchanging in public spaces and the challenges that appear when living and researching a
highly ethnically diverse society.

The volatility of the situation and precarious security are the strongest challenges that appear
in the interviews and also in much of the media and literature. Many of the interviews
identified the personal risks and security of the researchers, including detention, physical harm
and death. The mobility and ability to travel is also a highly limiting factor resulting for example
in the case of a group interviewed in the need to transform face-to-face meetings and
coordination into Skype and phone meetings. This raises the additional question of online data
security and increases the sense of fragmentation, creating a vicious loop. The security situation
is also limiting the type of activities and research that members are doing, in regions such as
Der az-Zor where the activity level has been dramatically reduced over the past year. All these
factors make information rather chaotic and unreliable, and aside from humanitarian matters
(and sometimes even then), there are no solid databases that can be used. The main coping
mechanism is the need to rely on own data and to triangulate this with media reports and
databases available.

Page | 17
The fragmentation of society and thus of power results in the fact that each research area
presents its own dynamic. This implies, from the perspective of the researcher the need to have
a different research strategy in each area (including profile of researchers, methodologies, data
bias provisions, safety precautions)

Among the challenges resulting from the fact that civil society as members has a relatively short
history in Syria the strongest is the lack of professional training, resources and reliability on
internal networks. All the respondents and interviewees manifested their interest to receive
further training on research and data collection in this field. Certainly the needs are diverse
and crucial to be taken into account when building the training programme, given the various
levels of prior knowledge and practical experience. The respondents who were engaged in the
positions of management of civil society identified also the challenge of securing funding for
research activities that does not relate to humanitarian setting, and also the challenge of not
having access or preparation to use more advanced research tools and technologies.
Furthermore, while there different groups may have access and secure funding and support
from international groups, individuals and donors, this also leads as it appears in some
interviews to an internal fragmentation and competition for resources. A network anchored
mostly from outside and lacking a strong core is therefore vulnerable and weak.

A particular challenge, not so much identified by the interviewees themselves, but rather by the
author of this needs assessment is the limited knowledge and capacity towards engaging in
conflict-sensitive research. While elements such as anonymity, basic email security and digital
protection are put in place, the researchers themselves are largely not able to provide psycho-
social analysis and support sometimes needed when assessing and working with trauma, they
are only partially critically aware of the agendas (and implicit ethical messages and resource
transfer conflicts) that might come in through donor-driven programmes and have a very
limited space for their own self-care. Therefore these elements would be needed in a
subsequent capacity building programme.

What comes out as remarkable after performing the interviews and looking at the survey
questions is the fact that, among all the challenges, the Syrian member still see the situation as

Page | 18
manageable. This is based on the fact that “availability”, “quality” and “use” are rated as
“challenging” by most but not “very challenging”. This may indicate a number of potential
situations. One is that the members are finding and implementing coping mechanisms that
mitigate some of those effects. Another possible answer is the fact that research activity
represents a lifeline for the researchers themselves, and gives in the context of war, of losing
jobs and orientation as a professional a point of reference, a focus and a sense and reality of
meaningful contribution among the absurdity and trauma of war.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Overall, there is a significant capacity and will to engage in civil society research and at the
moment there are groups and data pools that could represent a very solid data base as well as a
valuable human resource pool for capacity building programmes in this area. At the same time
the context volatility and lack of safety leave a strong mark on the quality of data and on the
efforts needed to verify and triangulate, leading to a high reliance on own data collected.

The recommendations include:

- Paying attention to the qualitative research methods, particularly those non-formal

qualitative research methods that have the power to unlock blockages that are in place
due to fear and oppression (ie. Theatre methods, Photovoice, Story Telling)

- Including in future capacity building programmes of specific conflict sensitivity in

research elements. Peace research is a relatively novel field, yet there is sufficient
knowledge base and praxis that allows for lessons to be learnt and passed to the Syrian
civil society actors at the moment

- Strengthening and diversifying the methodology of training on data collection and

analysis, including looking into creating more resources for on-line training and
facilitation.

- More close accompaniment of training participants and resources indicating ways to

achieve effectiveness for mentoring or peer-support mechanisms after the training
programme.

Page | 19
 - Increasing the number of training programmes which focus on data analysis and
effective use of research and data collected.

- Increasing the use and visibility of the existing data collected.

- Looking at how to increase cohesion and safety among Syrian civil society groups and
researchers coupled with a higher awareness onto the strings (visible and invisible,
ethical and resource-based) that are attached to foreign funding and foreign base.

- The provision and centralization of a thematic database of resources on data, data

collection, analysis and use and research methods.

The Syrian civil society movement is fragile and yet is having an incredible force. The same goes
for their data collection and research efforts. Therefore, finding the force that fragile fragments
together can bring to efforts for peace, development, good governance, social cohesion,
rebuilding human capital, good governance and others can be very well the scope and need for
this particular field.

Page | 20
Bibliography

 Citizens for Syria. (2005).Citizens for Syria. Mapping the Syrian Civil Society Actors Phase One.
(Project Report) .Available online at: https://citizensforsyria.org/OrgLiterature/CfS-mapping-
phase1-EN.pdf
 Dibo, Mohammad (Dawlaty Foundation). (2015). The Syrian Nonviolent Movements,
Perspectives from the Ground . Available online at:
https://dawlaty.org/booklet/TheSyrianNonviolentMovement.pdf
 Ghazzawi, Razan, Afra Mohammad and Oula Ramadan (Badael). (2015). Peacebuilding Defines
Our Future Now: A Study of Women’s Peace Activism in Syria. Available online at:
http://badael.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Syria_october22.pdf
 Goodhand, Jonathan. (2000).Research in Conflict Zones: Ethics and Accountability. Forced
Migration Review 8: 12-15.
 Khalaf, Rana, Oula Ramadan and Friederike Stolleis (Badael Project). (2014). Activism in Difficult
Times: Civil Society Groups in Syria 2011-2014. Available online: http://library.fes.de/pdf-
files/bueros/beirut/11162.pdf
 Schopper et al. (2015). Innovations in Research Ethics Governance in Humanitarian Settings.
BMC Medical Ethics 16: 10.

 Syrian Central Bureau for Statistics (2011): Central Bureau for Statistics - The Statistics
Group, from “Estimates of Population Actually living in Syria by Governorate and Sex on 1
/ 1 / 2011”. Available online at: http://www.cbssyr.sy/yearbook/2011/Data-
Chapter2/TAB-2-2-2011.htm

 Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) (2006, May-): Available online
at:: http://www.syriahr.com/en

Page | 21
Annex I

Questionnaire

Data collection and needs assessment methods

This survey is part of a project developed by a consortium of civil society organizations working in the
Middle East region to facilitate future phase processes at community-level in Syria and supporting skilled
Syrian professionals and equipping them with the adequate skills to become key-actors in their field
of expertise and actively contribute to the future period in the country. An effective development and
reconstruction is a comprehensive undertaking implying the involvement of local stakeholders, and must
be oriented to an integrated multi-sector approach, including local public and private profiles, short and
long-term considerations, detailed analysis of the needs and the impacts over the different sectors of the
Syrian society.

The survey looks specifically at civil society’s capacity for data collection and needs assessment
methods in conflict settings. Needs assessment and data collection are a fundamental step in
any context assessment, a first step in developing and thinking a good intervention. In conflict
settings due to security issues and escalating tensions data is often missing, distorted,
fragmented or putting at risk the researcher or the research subject. This survey is assessing the
availability and capacities for reliable data collection among civil society activists and other key
stakeholders (non-governmental actors) engaged in conflict transformation and reconstruction
work in the context of the Syrian conflict.

Please take about 15 minutes and complete the survey. Thank You!

1. Are you engaged with civil society activism in the field of conflict transformation /
reconstruction?

YES /NO
If yes, as: an individual / NGO/ research institution / other (please specify)

2. Are you specifically working in any of the following fields

a. stabilization b. demobilization c. rebuilding human capital d. good governance e.
reintegration of former combatants f. other related field?

Page | 22
3. Please mention which of the following fields is challenging in terms of data availability,
data collection.

DATA AVAILABILITY a. very challenging b. challenging c. not challenging

DATA QUALITY a. very challenging b. challenging c. not challenging
DATA COLLECTION POSSIBILITIES a. very challenging b. challenging c. not challenging

Describe, from your point of view the biggest challenges identified.

4. How often do you conduct needs assessments for your projects/interventions?

a. For Every Project
b. Several Times During a Project
c. Once for Several Different Projects

5. How do you assess the availability of data relevant for your projects/interventions?
a. Very good b. Good c. Fair d. Poor e. Very Poor

6. How do you assess the quality of data that you can access?
a.Very good b. Good c. Fair d. Poor e. Very Poor

7. What are the main sources of data that you use?

a. Scholarly Articles b. Facebook c. On-Line Databases d. Books and Publications e.
Self-Conducted Interviews and Surveys f. Project Reports

8. Have you ever received training in data collection?

YES/NO
If yes, was it a. at school b. during a seminar c. other ---------------------------
If yes, was it about: a. data collection, b. data structuring, c. data analysis d. data use,e.
M&E system, f: Research methods, others, please specify

9. Please rate how familiar you are with designing the following:
Very Familiar Somewhat Not
Familiar Familiar Familiar
a. Interviews
b. Participatory
Observation
c. Systematic
Observation

Page | 23
 d. Focus Groups
e. Online Polls
f. Text Analysis
g. Other (please mention
the name)

10. Please rate how familiar you are with conducting the following:
Very Familiar Somewhat Not
Familiar Familiar Familiar
h. Interviews
i. Participatory
Observation
j. Systematic
Observation
k. Focus Groups
l. Online Polls
m. Text Analysis
n. Other (please mention
the name)

11. Please rate how often you use the following:

Very Often Sometimes Never

Often
a. Interviews
b. Participatory
Observation
c. Systematic
Observation
d. Focus Groups
e. Online Polls
f. Text Analysis
g. Other (please mention
the name)

12. Do No Harm is a term used in the field of development and conflict work, to describe a
principle and process that considers and attempts to minimize the harm done to

Page | 24
 ‘beneficiaries’ or ‘participants’ in a certain project, and to preview the unintended
effects of a particular intervention. Could you please describe what does “Do No Harm”
in research and data collection means to you and what methodologies and tools do you
use in this direction?

13. Would you like to receive further training and capacity building in this field?
YES . Please briefly explain
NO. Please briefly explain

Page | 25
Annex II –

Interview Plan

Data collection and needs assessment methods

Intro part (approx. 5 mins):

5 mins: Thanks for accepting to be part of the interview; Again briefing on the context of the
project; Clarification on recording, use of the information provided, privacy and confidentiality
measures;

Questions: (approx. 30 mins)

1. Tell us a little about your background and your engagement with Syrian civil
society activism.
2. Are you specifically working in any of the following fields: stabilization,
demobilization, rebuilding human capital, good governance etc?
3. In doing your work, what data/information are you using?
4. What are your main sources of information?
 Follow up questions to capture if there are different sources by field
previously identified as working in;
 Follow up questions to capture different media from which the
information could be drawn (studies, community, on/offline etc)
5. Describe the process of collecting the data from each source.
 Follow up questions specifically targeting the frequency of collecting
data, training of the field workers, recording procedures, structuring of
findings and analysis and use of data
6. What are the main challenges you face in collecting information/data? How does
that affect your work?
 Follow up questions specifically targeting the Quantity, Quality, Typology,
Availability, Sensitivity of data and Do No Harm
7. In what sector do you find the information more difficult to collect? / Why?
8. Have you had any specific training in the field of data collection? If so, please
describe it.
9. Do you have experience with Quantitative Methods? Describe.
10. Do you have experience with Qualitative Methods? Describe.
11. Do you have experience with Conflict-Sensitive Research, Data Protection and
Conflidentiality Measures? Describe?

Page | 26
 12. Do you think that civil society activists need skills and tools in the field of data
collection? Could you name some of these skills/tools needed?
13. Would you include any specific points to the agenda of a capacity building
programme aiming to support Syrian civil society activists in their work in the
areas of: stabilization, demobilization, rebuilding human capital, good
governance?

Concluding Part (approx. 5 mins)

Clarification of next steps in the process (processing the information, sharing the results of the
needs assessment, access to data, training). Question on the need disponibility to be / to
recommend somebody as a participant in the follow up training. Contact information in case
there are further questions about the project. Renewed thanks.

Page | 27
Annex III - Interviewees List

1 A, Syrian, civil society member, M Turkey

2 B, Syrian, civil society member, journalist, M Turkey
3 H, Syrian researcher, M UK
4 A, Syrian, M Germany
5 N, Syrian civil society member F Germany
6 R, Syrian medical worker, F UK
7 R, Syrian youth member, F Damascus
8 M,Syrian UN agency staff, M Damascus/ Homs
9 E,Teacher, F Idlib
10 E, Syrian civil society member, M Al- Hasaka
11 O, Syrian civil society member, F Turkey

12 H, Syrian civil society member, M Ar Raqqah

13 M, Syrian civil society member, M Turkey
14 M, International Civil Society Member , F Italy
15 R,International Health Worker, Civil Society, M Lebanon

Page | 28