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Even as a researcher, there is another hat I wear - which reflects in my work in the social / developmental sector. Using research to make a difference to other lives. My particular interest is in education - which confers the power of knowledge, the power of choice on people. 'Joyful learning' is my pet subject of research - I cannot call it "work" because I love it - is in exploring ways and techniques for making learning a joyful experience for children - both within school and outside. I am keen on researching different aspects to this such as : teaching methods, syllabus content, learning environment, community, environment...

Another area of interest is public health - especially AIDS related communication and research - are communication and intervention programmes making an impact? And to what extent? If not, then what is lacking? I have no answers, only lots of questions...
And I blog about them frequently...

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Product categories

Automobiles, soaps and detergents, skin care / beauty, consumer durables, food and beverages, liquor, photographic films, contraceptives, household and industrial paints, websites, insurance and banking, engine oils, apparel, retail marketing, newspaper and television channels...

Kinds of research studies

* Communication research: communication development, creative development, advertising research, packaging research using different kinds of stimuli - animatics, adcepts, story boards and finished television commercials /press campaigns

* Brand equity research: to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the brand, and identify future options (varianting, change in positioning or communication strategy) for the brand

* Concept evaluation: product concepts, advertising and brand positioning concepts

* Exploratory research: usage and attitude study, brand name research - prior to development of concept or product

* Product development research: at both concept and product stages - to aid in development of final product / brand proposition

* Diagnostic research: to identify chinks in the brand and barriers to trial/usage among consumers, and identify ways to remove the barriers

* Rural research: understanding rural customers and their specific needs and problems

* Social / developmental research: exploratory research in issues concerned with social development - elementary education, public health, ICTs for development

Some recent projects as a consultant

* research and evaluation of a development project funded by the DFID (Department for International Development), UK, involving the use of ICTs (Information and Communications Technology) in education

* evaluation of a new website for Intel dealers through a combination of observation (of task completion by the respondents) followed by focused interviews

* process documentation of a project on creating awareness about child labour among stakeholder groups, directed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

* ethnography research for a US-based telecom client - as part of the core research team in India

* project consultancy for market research agencies including Indian Market Research Bureau, Market Probe Pvt. Limited

RESEARCH INTERESTS

* alternative research methodologies and instruments for data collection - I pursued this interest through a course at the LSE called Text, Image and Sound in Social Research. This course covered in detail alternatives to conventional research techniques, such as ethnographic methods, content analysis, computer-aided qualitative analysis, semiotic analysis and discourse and rhetoric analysis

* developing scales for qualitative research work, adapted to suit different target groups, especially for cross-cultural research. My final MSc dissertation presented to LSE focused on this issue in the specific context of rural research in India