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Stefan Leiderer et al.
During the first phase, relevant organisations in Malawi and Germany had
been contacted and the first expert interviews with staff of German development
agencies were conducted (for a list of sources, including people interviewed,
see Annex 2). A representative of the Malawian partner organisation,
the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), accompanied
this phase in parts.
In phases 2 to 5, fieldwork was carried out in Malawi at central government
level (Lilongwe) and local government level (two districts). Furthermore, the
collected data was analysed and preliminary findings presented and discussed
with stakeholders in Malawi. The methods used for data collection as well as
analysis are introduced below.
Phase 6 comprises further detailed analysis of data for individual chapters as
well as the drafting, presentation and discussion of the results.
Methods of data collection
— The methods used for conducting this case study are mainly qualitative
in nature. The most important methods of data collection were the following:
— semi-structured interviews (expert interviews, ethnographic interviews)
— literature and official document review
— non-participant observations (e.g. assembly meetings)
— informal conversations
The most important source of data were semi-structured interviews with varying
degrees of openness. The interviews range from more open ethnographic
to expert interviews. As the actors interviewed all come from very different
context there were no standard interview guidelines. Based on the results
from the preliminary report and the analytical focus of the study, teams of
two to three people developed individual interview guidelines for every person
in the days before the interview. These guidelines covered the responsibility
each person had in the relevant fields of PFM, decentralisation and
PRSP. There was also space for more open comments and assessments of
interviewees. In the course of the research process, the guidelines increasingly
included open questions or new issues that have come up in other interviews.
In total 141 interviews have been conducted (see annex 2). In most
cases, the interviews were conducted in teams of two people. While one per-
162 German Development Institute