This is a very short introduction to provide a bit more information about what you’ll actually be involved with if you do decide to take on a WeSearch! research project.
WeSearch!’s main role is to provide this platform to connect civil society groups with enthusiastic youth like you. We play no part in selecting researchers, or supervising the research.
That is the role of the civil society group you work with – so please contact them directly, though we request that you let us know which research issue you have choped so that we can update our portal!
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Before you begin,
- Think critically about the research questions at hand. Ask: Given this civil society organization’s mission and objectives, why are they interested in finding out about this. Does this research support one of their core programmes? Are they hoping to put together an awareness brochure or advocacy paper? Email them and find out more about why they’ve selected these issues as their research priorities, before deciding if their motivation is aligned with yours.
- Think about your own research interests and schedule. You’re here because you’re interested in research and concerned about social issues. Are these topics you would like to tackle for a term paper or theses? Are these questions you’d be interested to find answers for? How much time do you have? Don’t be daunted by the diverse range of issues, or the depth and breadth they require. Be clear about what you want to do, and how much you can do – and let the civil society organization know the extent to which you would like to help.
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Game? Here’s what to do:
- Browse through the “Research Wanted” list, or our list of research partners, to get a sense of what community research is required.
- After you’ve chosen a research issue you’re interested in, send an email to the contact person listed for more details as well as to determine the scope and scale of the research. You could conduct research in conjunction with an academic module, or independently as a volunteer. There is absolutely no commitment at this stage.
- If you’ve confirmed a research issue to tackle, drop us an email at wesearchsg@gmail.com to let us know what topic you’ve taken and how we may contact you.
- That’s it! On our side, we’ll follow up with you and your chosen research partner, as well as update our portal to indicate research that has been taken – as well as provide your contact details (or nickname) so that other interested researchers can get in touch with you directly, or indirectly through us. Thank You!
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Here are some possible activities you may be engaged with, anywhere from a day to a year!
- Interviewing individuals from specific communities (i.e. foreign workers, sex workers, singles) to find out about their experiences in Singapore either generally, or with respect to specific issues such as access to social services and working conditions
- Transcribing interviews and converting interviews to a digital format, or analyzing interviews and preparing a report on what they reveal
- Accompanying (undercover) journalists to investigate a social phenomenon, and publish a report about you saw or experienced
- Scouring through journals, newspapers and books for information to compile lists of relevant literature or to better understand how an issue has been portrayed in the mainstream
- Analyzing information that has already been gathered – for example, counting instances of reported abuses recorded in foreign worker case files or email correspondences
- Scanning Yellow Pages and the internet to compile lists of contacts required by a civil society group for a programme: health services, food services…or information such as relevant government policies
- Conducting a survey or social experiment amongst your peers to find out their attitudes on particular issues or towards particular groups of people
- Traversing the island to map social phenomena – such as the spatial distribution of community food programmes, or the proximity of brothels to social service agencies
- This list is endless!
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You will be acknowledged for your efforts. Most civil society organizations will try to provide you with an allowance for assisting with their research, and may renumerate you as well for a job well done. They may publish your work, or organize a seminar for you to share. However, it is likely that the value of your experience will center on intangibles – who doesn’t feel better doing their bit for social change? We’re non-profits, not well-funded think-tanks, so come with an open heart and you’ll get the most out of WeSearch!
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Email us at wesearchsg@gmail.com if you have further queries – we usually get back in a day or two!
