The challenge
In recent years, there has been significant research related to governance structures and processes in Solomon Islands, but no comprehensive assessment of Solomon Islanders’ civic knowledge and citizenship engagement. Sustineo was engaged by Cardno on behalf of Australia’s Solomon Islands Resource Facility to design and implement a baseline survey with the aim of gauging people’s perceptions towards, and experiences with, a range of key civic knowledge areas.
Our approach
The project was designed around three phases: an extensive literature review complemented by scoping consultations with key stakeholders in Solomon Islands; data collection featuring a national survey; and data analysis and reporting. This approach ensured that findings complemented and extended past research while aligning with client priorities.
The national survey was a significant undertaking. A comprehensive sampling approach was developed to establish a representative picture of the perceptions and experiences of Solomon Islanders in target provinces, sensitive to variables such as gender, age, and location. To ensure reliability and representativeness, the survey employed a randomised sampling method designed to produce findings with a 95% confidence level and a 3% overall margin of error.
Sustineo worked with Solomon Islands–based organisations to ensure that the approach supported social and disability inclusion, and ethics approval was gained through the Solomon Islands Health Research and Ethics Review Board.
The survey was implemented by local researchers from partner organisation Dignity Pasifik. Sustineo conducted training for all researchers, implemented real-time quality checks on data, and resolved issues promptly using a clearly defined research management strategy. A total of 1,228 Solomon Islanders were interviewed in Solomon Islands Pijin using tablet technology to capture data.
As part of the data analysis and reporting, Sustineo identified overall trends and examined differences in responses across various key analytic variables, which were tested for statistical significance. The research team’s subject matter expertise ensured that data analysis was informed by the Solomon Islands context.
Outcome
Sustineo’s contextually appropriate research design and close collaborative working relationship with Cardno, established from the design phase, ensured that the deliverables provided critical insights aligned with the client’s research objectives. The final report presented key findings across three priority areas of interest, and insights from the report have been used to inform the broader work of the Solomon Islands Governance Program. Senior representatives from both Solomon Islands and Australian governments commended the research for its excellent quality and practical utility. Sustineo was subsequently engaged by Cardno to extend its work in this space at the request of Solomon Islands Government stakeholders.
