Research methods for SIA 1

1.0 Introduction for Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

The original Social Impact Assessment (SIA) from an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
model, which first emerged in the 1970 in the United states. Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
was established to evaluate the impact on community development schemes and specific projects
before they go to the next step in development process. The projects require formal approval
from Social Impact Assessment (SIA) to categorize and evaluate how the major developments
that may affect populations, group and placement. SIA is often carried out as part of, or addition
to, environment impact assessment but it was no longer as widely used as a formal Environment
Impact Assessment (EIA) in the planning system and often playing a minor role in a combined
environment and social assessment. (Barrow, C. J. 2000)

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is predicated on the notion that development
interventions have social ramifications and it is imperative that decision-makers understand the
consequences of their decisions before they act and people affected get the opportunity to
participate in designing their future. Social assessment helps to make the project responsive to
social development concerns. Development initiatives informed by social assessment alleviate
poverty, enhance inclusion and build ownership while minimizing and compensating for adverse
social impact on the vulnerable and the poor.

Social Impact Assessment can be defined in terms of efforts to assess or estimate, in
advance the social consequences that are likely to follow specific policy actions and specific
government actions. Is is a process that provides a framework for prioritizing, gathering,
analyzing and incorporating social information and participation into the design and delivery of
development interventions. It ensures that development interventions:
i. Are informed and take into account the key relevant social issues
ii. Incorporate a participation strategy for involving a wide range of stakeholders.


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Standard definition for Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a analysis process, monitoring
and managing the desired effect and undesirable social. Besides that, it main purpose to create a
more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a
humanitarian aspect to be considered in the assessment of environmental balance of the
ecosystem because it is a compenant of the environment. Human who is the occupier of natural
ecosystem environment is the most important compenent for any changes that occur to the
ecosystem environment will ultimately affect peoples live. Requirements for the implementation
of the SIA in a project development or environment impact assessment is very important for the
ecosystem balance and well being to make sure quality of life will continue to secure and
sustainable. (Barrow, Christopher. 1997)

There are many definitions of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) which was submitted
by researchers or writers who see the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as socio-economic impact
assessment. While some assume that this SIA as part of the component in the Environment
Impact Assessment. According Wolf (1974), Social Impact Assessment is a process to estimate
and evaluate the condition of a society when it is compiled and modified by the use of large-
scale technology. Bowles (1981) states the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as a systematic
assessment of the impact on the quality of daily life of people and society when they are seen by
the development environment or policy changes occur.

Generally, there is no correct definition of SIA because each researcher has a different
view and perspective. Some of the politicians see SIA as a political tool to make a decision and
some also see it as a socio-political process that facilitates the process of negotiation among the
stakeholders. Smith (1993) states that the social, economic, physical and biological environment
are inter-related compenants to the research or impact assessment should be done not in isolation
but must be done together and interconnected to each other. In other words, this assessment is
known as a total or comprehensive impact assessment.



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2.0 Social Impact Assessment tools

Social Impact Assessment is very important for a project to be accomplished. This is to assess
the impact that has on the environment or the population in case of implementation of
development project. Conducting social impact assessment involves the use of a broad array of
data collection methods, quantitative and qualitative, common in social science research. In
addition to substantive analytical tools, SIA uses participatory methods that contribute to a better
understanding of the project. These can also help increase the ownership of projects.

In social impact assessment tools have a analytical tools and observation and interview
tools. Analytical tools are divided into 3 part, a stakeholder analysis, gender analysis and
secondary data review. Stakeholder analysis is an entry point to SIA and participatory work. It
address strategic question, for examples who are the key stakeholder? What are their interests in
the project or policy? This information helps to identify institutions and relations which, if
ignored, can have negative influence on proposals or, if considered can be built upon to
strengthen them.

Gender analysis focuses on understanding and documenting the differences in gender
role, activities, needs and opportunities in a given context. It highlights the different roles and
behavior of men and women. These attributes vary across cultures, class, ethnicity, income,
education and time and gender analysis does not treat women as a homogeneous group.
Secondary data review is the one part of analytical tools. It describes of information from
previously conducted work is an inexpensive, easy way to narrow the focus of social assessment,
to identify experts and institutions that are familiar with the development context and to establish
a relevant framework and key social variables in advance.
(www.unep.ch/etu/publications/EIA_2ed/EIA_E_top13_hd1.PDF)



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Observation and interview tools is one of the analytical tools used to identify the impact
of development project. Participant observation is a field technique used by anthropologists and
sociologists to collect qualitative data and to develop in-depth understanding of people
motivations and attitudes. This method depend on the looking, listening, asking question and
keeping detailed field noted. Observation and analysis are supplemented by desk reviews of
secondary sources and hypotheses about local reality are checked with key local informants.
Semi-structured Interviews is one of the tools used to obtain information about the views or
opinions of the impact of development activities in the area. This methods uses are a low cost
and easy for gathering information from individuals or small groups. Interviews are partially
structured by a written guide to ensure that they are focused on the issue at hand, but stay
conversational enough to allow participants to introduce and discuss aspects that they consider to
be relevant. (www.unep.ch/etu/publications/EIA_2ed/EIA_E_top13_hd1.PDF).

Focus group meeting are a rapid way to collect comparative data from a variety of
stakeholders. They are brief meetings with many potential uses that to address a particular
concern, to build community consensus about implementation plans, to cross-check information
with a large number of people or to obtain reactions to hypothetical or intended actions.
Furthermore, village meeting allow local people to describe problems and outline their priorities
and aspirations. They can be used to initiate collaborative planning and to periodically share and
verify information gathered from small groups or individuals by other means.
(www.unep.ch/etu/publications/EIA_2ed/EIA_E_top13_hd1.PDF)









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3.0 Research Methods for Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

3.1 Data Collection Methods

There are several methods of collecting socioeconomic data for purposes of conducting social
impact assessment. The methods generally in use include quantitative methods and qualitative
methods.

3.2 Quantitative methods

Quantitative methods is a methods that depends on the research conducted to obtain the required
information such as land acquisition survey, census survey, socioeconomic survey and other
administrative records.
3.2.1 Land Acquisition Survey

Land acquisition for projects leads to displacement and loss of livelihoods for local people. A
land acquisition assessment survey provides detailed information on who and how many will be
adversely affected by land loss. This survey is largely based on government land records, land
use maps, statistical information and existing legislation and administrative practice with respect
to land acquisition and project planning documents but the data often require on the spot
verification during a field visit.

3.2.2 Census Survey

This is the most important survey as it helps to determine the exact number of people who will
bear the brunt of adverse project impact and the total property affected. Since the purpose of the
census survey is to prepare an inventory of all affected persons and properties, it should cover
the all affected persons living in the project area, all affected property and the level and sources
of all incomes and the projects impact on them. Typically, the census uses the household as the
basic unit for data collection. Data should be disaggregated by gender, caste, tribe and other
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social categories. In addition, a comprehensive list of common property to be affected by a
project should also be prepared include common property resources, public structures, cultural
property and infrastructure. (dolr.nic.in/Social_Impact_Assessment%20HMM-2011.doc).

3.2.3 Socioeconomic Survey

This study generates information on impacts on critical socioeconomic aspects of the affected
population. These include demographic details, socioeconomic production systems, sources of
income, patterns of social organization and leadership, womens economic activities and income,
ancestral provivions and customs, levels of health and nutrition. In projects that do not involve a
large population, socioeconomic survey and census are usually combined. In projects that cause
large scale displacement. The socioeconomic survey is a separate sampled survey of roughly10-
20 percent of the total affected population selected on a random basis. It is however important
that the survey covers a statistically valid representations sample of all strata of the affected
population. The socioeconomic profiling should not be restricted to adversely affected
population. The survey should include those who benefit from the employment and other
economic opportunities generated by the project.

3.3 Qualitative methods

3.3.1 Key informant interview

A questionnaire helps to establish baseline conditions prior to undertaking a project. The
questions should cover all aspects of socioeconomic situation such as religion, caste, family size,
education, skills, occupation and income. The design of the questionnaire is rather important. It
should focus on key issues, yet be simple and in the local language. Persons selected to conduct
the interviews should be properly briefed and trained to get the questionnaires completed. The
team conducting the interview should include female members, as they alone are in a position to
talk to women, especially in rural areas and among communities where there are restrictions on
their movements. (dolr.nic.in/Social_Impact_Assessment%20HMM-2011.doc)
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The quality of information generated through interviews is dependent on a number of
factors, which include the following:
i. The relationship that the interview is able to establish with the respondent.
ii. Willingness to adjust interviews to the time convenient to respondents
iii. Ability to listen to answers patiently and to probe and cross-check them in a through but
polite way.
iv. Recognizing that same questions can be asked in several others ways.
v. Taking notes in a way that does not interrupt the flow of conversation and appear
threatening.

3.3.2 Focused Group and small meetings

In focused group and small meetings, one or more researchers guide a group discussion using
probes but letting group members discuss the topic among themselves. The group has 6 to 10
participants to discuss issues set out by the researcher. The researcher usually uses an interview
guide but minimally structures the discussion.

Group interview can provide background information for designing projects and
programmes, generate ideas and hypotheses for intervention models, provide feedback from
beneficiaries and help in assessing responses to recommended innovations. They are also useful
for obtaining data for monitoring and evaluation purposes and for interpreting data that are
already available.

3.3.3 Community-based methods

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) covers a family of participatory approaches and methods,
which emphasizes local knowledge and action. It uses to group animation and exercises to
facilitate stakeholders to share information and make their own appraisals and plans. Originally
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developed for use in rural areas, PRA has been employed successfully in a variety of setting to
enable local people to work together to plan community appropriate development.

SARAR is an acronym of five attributes that self-esteem, associative strength,
resourcefulness, action planning and responsibility for follow through. That are important for
achieving a participatory approach to development. SARAR is a philosophy of adult education
and empowerment which seeks to optimize peoples ability to self-organize, take initiatives and
shoulder responsibilities. It is best classed as an experiential methodology which involves setting
aside hierarchical differences, team building through training and learning from local experience
rather than from external experts. These methodologies provide tools for collaborating with local
people in analysis and planning and can contribute to the development of action plans and
participation strategies. (www.unep.ch/etu/publications/EIA_2ed/EIA_E_top13_hd1.PDF)

3.3.4 Consultation methods

Beneficiary assessment (BA) is a systematic investigation of the perception of a simple of
beneficiaries and other stakeholders to ensure that their concerns are heard and incorporated into
project and policy formulation. The purposes are to undertake systematic listening, which gives
voice to poor and other hard to reach beneficiaries, highlighting constraints to beneficiary
participation and obtain feedback on interventions.

3.3.5 Public participation methods

Developing and implementing an effective public participation plan to involve all interested and
affected stakeholders is the vital first step. This involves identifying the client population that
will either benefit or be adversely affected by the project. Groups affected by proposed actions
include:
i. Those that live nearby.
ii. Those that may be affected by the development intervention.
iii. Those that may be displaced because of the project.
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iv. Those that have interest in a new project or policy change but may not live in proximility

Some others include those residents affected by the seasonal influx of people who may have to
pay higher prices for food or rent, or pay higher taxes to cover the cost of expanded community
services. A wide range of public response to a proposed action. This first step is vital as the
public participation program follows throughout the implementation and monitoring.

Access to resources is a tool to collect information and raise awareness of how access to
resources varies according to gender, age, marital status and parentage. This information can
make all the difference to the success or failure of a proposal. Furthermore, analysis of tasks
clarifies the distribution of domestic and community activities by gender and the degree of role
flexibility that is associated with each task. This is central to understanding the human resources
that are necessary for running of community. Mapping is an inexpensive tool for gathering both
descriptive and diagnostic information. Mapping exercises are useful for collecting baseline data
on a number of indicators as part of a beneficiary assessment or rapid appraisals and can lay the
foundation for community ownership of development planning by including different groups.
(www.sasanet.org/social impact assessment methodology.pdf)

3.3.6 Comparative method

This method examines how an affected community has responded to change in the past or the
impact on other communities that have undergone a similar action. The present is compared to
the future with the proposed action. Based on past research and experiences in similar cases,
determination of significance is made based on the comparative data presented.

3.3.7 Workshop-based methods

Objectives oriented project planning is a methods that encourages participatory planning and
analysis throughout the project life cycle. A series of stakeholders workshops are held to set
priorities and integrate them into planning, implementation and monitoring. Building
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commitment and capacity is an integral part of this process. Collaborative decision making often
takes place in the context of stakeholder workshops, which bring stakeholders together to assess
issues and design development projects collaboratively. A trained facilitator guides stakeholders
through a series of activities to promote learning and problem solving.

3.3.8 Causal chain analysis

Causal chain analysis is to identify the significant cause effect links between the proposed
change (scenario) in the trade measure and it eventual economic, social and environmental
impacts. The aim of causal chain analysis is to distinguish the significant cause-effect links in the
chain, where the analysis is undertaken in logical sequence, from cause to effect. The
explanation of the causal chain analysis is derived from theoretical reasoning and expert
interpretation of the evidence derived from evisting studies.

















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4.0 Conclusion

This research method is often used to obtain information on the impact of development activities
to be performed. The information obtained will be used as a guide in carrying out the project and
reduce the risk will happen to the surroundings. Involvement of many parties are required to
obtain information on social impact assessment of the developed area. Besides that, quantitative
data collection methodology also has its limitations. Factors such as the adequacy of sample, the
cooperation, the experience of the survey team and the adequacy of supervision over the team in
the field can bias not only sampling but data collection as well. SIA practitioners usually balance
quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting data to ensure as complete an understanding of
the projects impact on the affected people as possible.

Social Impact Assessment also be considered an integral part of the development process,
not a step or hurdle to be overcome. Done poorly, SIA may be nothing more than a public
relations exercise for illegitimate development by unscrupulous corporations. SIA is not
designed to hamper development but is designed to maximize the potential benefit for all parties
associated with the development. For the community this means minimizing social impacts on
the community and maximizing community benefits. For the developer it means minimizing
social impact and therefore the costs of rectification of these impacts in the future. Effective SIA
increases the legitimacy of the development and may well facilitate the development process.
SIA removes uncertainly from the process for both the community and the developer. To a small
extent, SIA reduces impacts on the workforce and has the potential to increase productivity and
reduce disruption.

The effectiveness of SIA rests on the integrity of the SIA practitioner. Community
participation is essential as is community evaluation of any report or recommendations.
However, public participation exercises are not of themselves social impact assessments.
Governments should consider appropriate measures to ensure that SIA and EIA that is
undertaken are to a satisfactory standard. Furthermore, it must be accepted that SIA can not be an
ultimate guide in decision making. Decisions were always and will always, of necessity be
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political. Nevertheless, SIA can be a useful tool in providing information that will assist in that
process.