ABSTRACT
Social analysis in developing countries requires methods of research used in the developed and in the developing world. This chapter focuses on Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in developing countries. It looks at SIA in developing countries on a meso level and macro-level. Drawing on the literature on social research in developing countries, the chapter deals with social analysis in general and SIA in particular, the principal approaches in policy-oriented research will be appraised. In an effort to understand the sources of conflict, co-operation, and other aspects of community behaviour, the chapter made use of both anthropological research and sample surveys to gather data on key topics. Both the OECD guidelines and the review by the World Bank shows the methods for SIA of development projects requiring resettlement of whole communities that can be improved by field testing and ex-post evaluation. As discussed, problems encountered in this research explain why SIA in these countries is often still in its infancy.
