Understanding skepticism of internationally supported civil society groups in Serbia using fieldwork and semi-structured interviews / Paula M. Pickering, Sla?ana Dankovi?.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pickering, Paula M. (Paula May), 1966- author.

Dankovi?, Sla?ana, author.

Series:

SAGE Research Methods. Cases.

SAGE Research Methods. Cases

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Interviewing--Technique.

Interviewing.

Non-governmental organizations--Public opinion--Research--Serbia.

Non-governmental organizations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

London : SAGE Publications Ltd, 2019.

Summary:

This case study focuses on the use of semi-structured interviews during fieldwork with citizens and civil society leaders. The research on which this case study is based was conducted with citizens and civil society leaders in similar medium-sized towns in Serbia to uncover candid perspectives on the work of Western-aided, but locally run, nongovernmental organizations. Open-ended questions allow citizens and leaders to use their own words to describe their views and to provide explanations for their perspectives, such as on the impact of nongovernmental organizations' activities on communities in Serbia. By not boxing interviewees into choosing fixed response options provided by the researcher or attempting to gather testimony in a group dialogue setting, this one-on-one, in-depth interviewing approach uncovered reasons why citizens often view nongovernmental organization work with suspicion while nongovernmental organization leaders express confidence in the positive roles nongovernmental organizations play in Serbia. An analysis of stories nongovernmental organizations provide in websites and publications describing goals and activities provided another window into understanding divergent views expressed by citizens and nongovernmental organization leaders. Analysis of in-depth fieldwork featuring these qualitative methods allows for greater understanding, as we were able to identify a key problem for public support of local nongovernmental organizations: citizens' belief that they work on abstract problems that do not match citizens' existential concerns.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on XML content.

ISBN:

1-5264-8927-9

9781526489272

OCLC:

1084519311