The DORA Project – Methodological Considerations at the European Level

• This paper reviews the rationale for the adoption of a multiple-methods interdisciplinaryapproach in a European comparative research project entitled the Dynamics ofRural Areas (DORA), and describes some of the experiences, advantages and limitations ofthe selected approach. DORA has as a main goal to assess the underlying reasons fordifferential economic performance in eight European regions, and involves research teams inScotland, Germany, Greece and Sweden. Four key issues are discussed. Firstly, the challengesfaced in designing a ‘common’ methodology within a multi-disciplinary international teamthat reflects both researchers’ backgrounds and specific country contexts. Secondly, some ofthe problems related to the sensitivity of economic indicators and the collection ofcomparable secondary data across different countries. Thirdly, the potential conflicts that canarise between a requirement for international comparability combined with a need torecognise the unique circumstances of individual case study areas, and finally, the variationsin respondents’ perceptions and opinions that can occur between qualitative and morequantitative approaches, and how these can be dealt with. The discussion is illustrated by apresentation of some key findings of the study, and concludes with some suggestions to helptake the debate forward.

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