What we do
Quest research and development (QRD) is a leading specialist in social & development strategy in designing and implementing a wide range of social and development research and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) projects in India. We facilitate evidence-based, strategic decision making and policy direction based on respectful, rich and textured research that delivers an in-depth understanding of communities and institutions in their respective contexts. Our full cycle research service includes: concept development, methodology and instrument design, data collection, data management, analysis, reporting, strategic advocacy.
How we do it
Understanding context
Social relations and patterns only have meaning in context. Context-respecting research means ensuring that ‘international’ concepts and tools are adapted to local realities; vernacular language knowledge is integrated in all stages of research design, implementation and analysis; and indigenous, multi-lingual researchers and field teams are central.
Respect for people
Respectful research goes beyond basic research ethics principles. It means understanding that every person we engage with lives a full life, is self-determining and deserves full control over how their information is used. We seek to design and implement our projects so that communities are strengthened in their ability to use their own information.
Social Surveys India has a long track record of ‘Africanising’ established research concepts and instruments, including on measuring civil society, volunteering & giving, social entrepreneurship, the social licence to operate and community values.
Our Motto
Knowledge is a form of power that can be extracted from and imposed on others. Generating understanding, on the other hand, is inherently collaborative and empowering; to understand someone you must be in a continuous relationship with them, giving and taking, asking and speaking equally.
