Theoretical and methodological guidelines for research on the development of Southern Africa∗

Revised and expanded version of a paper delivered at the HSRC Seminar on the Coordination of Development Research in Southern Africa, Pretoria, 22 October 1986.

Abstract

The aim of this article is to give a broad and fairly uncomplicated overview of two main aspects of developmental thinking with the purpose of proposing a framework within which development research could be coherently structured and hopefully advanced.

The first aspect concerns development theories. These are categorised as the orthodox, political economy and counter‐modernisation approaches. From an overview, certain conclusions are drawn and presented as possible guidelines for the structuring of research.

The second aspect attempts to highlight certain methodological implications of doing research which aims at improving the lot of the poor. It is stressed that this may imply certain uncomfortable reversals in what researchers should focus on.

Notes

Revised and expanded version of a paper delivered at the HSRC Seminar on the Coordination of Development Research in Southern Africa, Pretoria, 22 October 1986.

Professor of Economics, University of the Orange Free State.