8 Methodology 1.3 RESEARCH PROTOCOL Qualitative and empathic research techniques were used to understand what is happening on ground in Myanmar, and how people’s needs and opportunities could be best addressed through future services. give insight into the common concerns on the use of existing Government, financial and telecom services, a functional understanding of each step of the process, its limitations and overall experience. Information gathered through these discussions helped the researcher to understand needs of a region. 1.3.1 IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS 1.3.4 ETHNOGRAPHY WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER In-depth interview is a qualitative research technique which proceeds as a confidential and secure conversation between an interviewer and a respondent to explore their perspectives on a particular idea, situation or program.In-depth Interviews were conducted in each location to understand how a ME started his/her business, his daily interactions with the suppliers and customers, various Government and financial services accessible and availed by MEs. Interview length ranged from two to three hours. In each location two service providers (one from Government services and one from financial services) were identified which were visited by the MEs and interviews were held to reflect on various processes better. 1.3.2 MINI ETHNOGRAPHIES Mini ethnography is a process of learning from people about the aspect of their lives by spending adequate amount of time with them and documenting their day to day lives. In this study, mini-ethnographies were conducted to understand the research participant’s everyday activities and different context within which he/she performed these activities. The mini-ethnography involved a researcher shadowing the participant for six hours to understand, in detail, his/her professional interactions, information exchange, mobile usage and challenges faced. 1.3.3 FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS Focus group discussion is a form of qualitative research in which a small group- usually 6 to 10 people- are asked about their preceptions, beliefs, opinions and attitudes towards a product, service, idea or concept. For the purpose of this study, focus group discussions were moderated with six research participants from varied occupations (but of same gender) to Each of these different protocols provided varying insights into different livelihood and mobile usage patterns of the micro-entrepreneurs from these locations. These insights led to a comprehensive understanding of possible role of mobile phones in meeting the information and knowledge needs of these micro-entrepreneurs. 1.4 PROCESS Detailed field guides for each protocol were prepared before going on field (Appendix-II) reflecting on the purpose of the study, and some of the key probing questions to carry forward the conversation. For each location, an advance recruitment team (Appendix-III) travelled ahead one or two days to lay the groundwork for participant recruiting and build initial relationships with ward leaders. In-field synthesis took place in two ways: informal debriefings with field teams after each research session and daily full-team debriefings to discuss key findings, possible improvements to the process and goals and plans for the following day. Small gifts and small financial rewards were prepared for participants and were handed over depending on what was appropriate in each context. On a couple of occasions, participants politely declined financial rewards.