Abstract
ABSTRACT This article presents a case study of research in Dadaab, Kenya to highlight some of the relevant challenges encountered while conducting gender-based violence research in humanitarian settings. A longitudinal mixed-methods design was used to evaluate a comprehensive case-management intervention in the refugee complex near the border of Kenya and Somalia. We present an overview of both expected and unexpected challenges during preparation and implementation of the research, adaptations made to the research design, and lessons learned for future research in similar contexts. Some of the key challenges were attributed to the highly securitized and remote environment of Dadaab refugee camp, like many refugee camp settings, which created limitations for sampling designs, interview locations, and also created particular burdens for the research team members conducting interviews. In addition to the camp environment, the dynamic nature of events and trends in the camp setting created barriers to follow-up with longitudinal cohort participants as well as uncertainty on how to plan for future implementation of research design phases in response to camp changes. Conducting research in humanitarian settings requires a flexible approach to accommodate the challenges that can impact both service delivery and research activities. The discussion presented in this article contributes to the evolving practical guidance on conducting research in humanitarian settings.
Highlights
Humanitarian practitioners, donors and researchers concur that timely, rigorous research in emergency settings is critical for informed decision making
This includes research guidance developed by other humanitarian actors, such as the Humanitarian Cluster and Area of Responsibility (AoR) specific research guidance, including research recommenda tions on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in humanitar ian settings [3]
Within this aim we sought to address the following research questions: (1) What is the context of GBV in the Dadaab refugee camps?
Summary
Humanitarian practitioners, donors and researchers concur that timely, rigorous research in emergency settings is critical for informed decision making. In an attempt to address the challenge of humani tarian setting research, various groups such as the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (Elhra) have commis sioned a number of reports synthesizing the chal lenges, lessons, and guidance on implementing needed rigorous informative humanitarian research [2]. This includes research guidance developed by other humanitarian actors, such as the Humanitarian Cluster and Area of Responsibility (AoR) specific research guidance, including research recommenda tions on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in humanitar ian settings [3]. The guide lines offer in-depth synthesis and reviews of what research methods have been used in these contexts and speak broadly to the unique challenges to empiri cal research in humanitarian settings, including inter vention evaluation, but there remains a missed opportunity to regularly and openly share research lessons from individual studies and settings
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