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