The Role of Social Research in Development Programs: Examples from India

Abstract

This article, based on data from secondary sources such as DFID, UN agencies, World Bank, IFAD et al. aims at providing a perspective of the transition that has been experienced in the Asian countries in terms of socio economic, demographic and human development indicators for the Asian countries in general, and India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in particular. It also illustrates the significant role social research has played in the process of transition with specific reference to India, the second most populous country and the largest democracy in the World. The analysis presented in the article clearly indicates the transition that took place in the Asian countries in terms of reduced population growth, increased longevity of males as well as females, reduced infant and child mortality levels, improvement in human development indicators and growth of the economy. The discussion throws light on the crucial role played by social research in the process starting with identification of needs to facilitate designing of programme interventions, monitoring the progress during the course of implementation, evaluation at the end of the specific interventions etc.