Project Description
From 2007 to 2010, Democracy International worked in East Timor with local institutions to conduct survey research and build capacity to conduct quantitative research. DI trained research organizations and university research centers on how to design surveys, conduct field work, and analyze results using statistical software. DI helped develop a core group of professional researchers to conduct public opinion surveys and other quantitative research projects, which provided information to policy-makers and other development stakeholders, and designed and implemented training programs. With DI’s mentoring, Timorese research organizations conducted major quantitative research projects for international organizations. Separately, DI worked with the Cultural Change Institute at Tufts University on further research to study how cultural values affect development initiatives in East Timor. DI also conducted research addressing the performance of local government councils.