Journal of International Development

J. Int. Dev. 20, 573–576 (2008)

BOOK REVIEWS

Research Skills for Policy and Development. How to find out fast (2nd edn). Edited by

A. THOMAS and G. MOHAN 2007 (London: Sage Publications). (ISBN:

978-1-4129-4564-6)

There are certainly many books available on research methods and approaches though this one isespecially recommended for addressing both the fast changing and the increasingly complex area ofpolicy development. The chapters focus on policy-oriented research, policy as process anddevelopment issues in general but nevertheless the style of the chapters is particularly accessible,likely to be useful for a wide range of social science students. With a clear and readable style thechapters provide relatively straightforward explanations for the different approaches to researchwhile also enriching the reader with diverse use of case material from a variety of contexts. Forexample, the opening chapter draws on the UK’s transport system and India’s education policy.

Without the advantage of having read the first edition it is nevertheless made fairly clear why thenew edition is necessary. The title has changed with an aim to attract a broader readership fromstudents, academic researchers and practitioners all wishing to become better at assessing policychanges. Each chapter has been updated and greater attention has been made to the internet sourcesas well as the new debates on development and research approaches. While the chapters are very wellcross-referenced and complementary, the arguments on ‘truth’ and ‘reality’ are not always in fullagreement (see Conclusion). After the Introduction and before the Conclusion the chapters are splitinto four parts: conceptualising policy-related investigation, thinking with documents, thinking withpeople and bringing in data.

A refocus has been on wider relevance of investigations to examine ‘public action’ amongcommunity groups, non-governmental groups, social movements, local government in the North,South and globally. The changes in the second edition are explained in the introduction and theserefer to research needing to keep up with the new dynamics and changes in policy processes. So, forpractitioners and academic researchers there is a need not simply to keep up with the pace of changein policy but also to widen their competency and sharpen their critical approach to engaged research.

It is a little surprising that the co-editor Giles Mohan makes no distinct contribution to theintroduction, conclusion or the chapters. Some further comment, in addition to Chapter 8, might havebeen relevant to debates on participation and the people-centred approaches. This could offervaluable theoretical analysis in relation to neo-liberal, structural and technocratic approaches todevelopment.

It is possible that Chapter 11 uses a misleading title ‘Using evidence in advocacy’. This chapter isalso about several other more well-known topics including scientific knowledge, NGOs’ involvementin policy-making, and a policy culture that favours scientific measurement and approaches toevidence. The debate on scientific versus indigenous knowledge is well conveyed but the reader mayask if there have been significant and growing examples whereby indigenous, local and communityknowledge has gained sufficient respect and played part in directly influencing policy.

Several of the chapters tend to recite the sometimes well-known controversies within the fields ofresearch and development, and while that is very useful, the reader may wish to know more in termsof progress being made and ways forward beyond the explained limitations. The science versusindigenous knowledge is discussed. Other areas where the debate could be taken further includethose on ‘participation’ and comment on the ‘precautionary principle’ (p. 269). It is 15 years sincethe principle was released into environmental policy domains but regularly researchers and policy

Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Poverty & Social Deprivation in the Mediterranean: Trends, Policies & Welfare

Prospects in the New Millennium. Edited by MARIA PETMESIDOU and CHRISTOS

PAPATHEODOROU (Bergen: Zed books, CROP International Studies in Poverty

Research, 2007, pp. 414).

This book is a compilation of 13 manuscripts by 18 scholars focusing on issues of poverty,deprivation, inequality and social exclusion in theMediterranean. It comes as a result of theworkshopheld at Democritus University (Komotini, Greece) in 2003. In addition to the introductory chapter bythe editors—which provides an initial overview on poverty phenomena and compares countriesaround the Mediterranean basin and adjacent areas with respect to their developmental and socialindicators—and the concluding chapter by the distinguished professor Peter Townsend, certainlyamong the most notable authorities in the discipline—who contributed a commentary on the povertyin theMediterranean region—the book is divided into two parts based on the geographical division ofthe region.

The first part concentrates on problems of poverty in Mediterranean countries of the EuropeanUnion (i.e. Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece), the Balkan transition countries (i.e. Croatia, Bosniaand Herzegovina, the now former Serbia and Montenegro, FYR Macedonia, Albania, Romania andBulgaria) and Turkey. The second gives coverage of the so-called MENA (Middle East and NorthAfrica) countries bordering the Mediterranean basin. Despite this bilateral division there are at leastthree quite distinctive regions washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Aspects of poverty and social policyevolution in the Mediterranean EU15 countries are covered in the contributions on poverty andpoverty discourses in Italy, anti poverty policies in Portugal related to the guaranteed minimumincome and poverty among illegal immigrants in Spain. Transition economies of South-EasternEurope are covered in chapters on poverty reduction strategies in Albania and countries of the formerYugoslavia, on poor, excluded and transition losers in SE Europe and on dynamics of poverty inTurkey. Problems of poverty in countries of the MENA region are covered in chapters on poverty in

makers are not fully clear about what type of precaution to adopt when it comes to GMOs, climatechange and other environmental problems.

There are, however, someminor criticisms that should be noted. In discussing UK transport system inChapter 1 the co-authors state: ‘This involves understanding the dynamics of ‘‘demand’’ and its causes,in terms of the changing needs and interests of users’ (p. 38). It might be helpful for the reader to havesome references to research that is taking place into how managing demand is carried out.

At times, and in some chapters more than others, disentangling the analysis, the context of the casecontent and the research method explanations is not easy. Chapter 7 tends to provide too much of acritique of participatory methods. For the uninitiated reader this could be confusing. While commentand critical discussion is an integral part of this book the reader is likely to be looking for tips andways forward in considering their research approaches.

Figure 1.3 (p. 33) is in black and white while the text refers to colours. Figure 8.1 (pp. 194–195) isalso problematic because it appears that this is imputed knowledge on the drawings and furthermore,it is a patronising and rather harsh critique of men. The drawings are sketch maps done by one personwho is attempting to interpret the qualities of male and female perceptions of a village in Africa. Themanner with which the maps are drawn and labelled suggests a leaning towards stereotypes aboutgender differences rather than actual findings.

On balance however, Research Skills for Policy and Development is wonderfully cross-referencedproviding rich commentary, re-explanation, summary boxes and very useful evidence to back-uppoints. The updated edition is therefore welcome and for students, development practitioners, socialscience researchers this could become a frequently consulted handbook for practical advice as wellas channelled inspiration.

NICK JAMESAssociate Lecturer, Open University

Published online in Wiley InterScience(www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/jid.1463

Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. J. Int. Dev. 20, 573–576 (2008)

DOI: 10.1002/jid

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