It is important to carry out either primary or secondary research or both to analyse issues you care about.
Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
What should I research?
It is a good idea to carry out your research with some basic questions in mind:
How do I do this?
Through primary research (research you carry out yourself) such as questionnaires, surveys, discussion groups and case studies.
Through secondary research (using other people’s research) such as council or government reports, resources from the relevant charities or organisations that focus on your issue, from websites, newspapers and other relevant magazines.
Once you have carried out your research, analyse the information in terms of your initial questions. It may be helpful to analyse the information using tools such as diagrams, flow charts and mind maps.
Example issue:
Low wage threshold to qualify for housing benefit acts as a disincentive to work.
Analyse the issue in terms of cause and effect. Use your own experience as well for insight into the issue and think about the historical and cultural contexts of the issue.
It is good to ask yourself additional questions about your findings:
<< Back to ‘Section 3: How to Take Action’
The people who need to hear your message are the people who have the power to make the change!
Persuade other people to join you in taking the issue forwards.
As Catholics, daily prayer and discernment are an essential part of our faith life as individuals and as the church around the world.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
