October 2014
REMU
British Council Pakistan
Terms of Reference (TORs) for literature review and questionnaire design
‘A CROSS CULTURAL STUDY;
PERCEPTIONS OF YOUNG PAKISTANIS IN THE UK AND IN PAKISTAN;
IDENTITY, VALUES, AND ASPIRATIONS.’
Position: Consultancy for literature review and questionnaire design
Location:
Apply by
Start date:
End date:
UK and Pakistan
13th October 2014
24th October 2014
5th November 2014
Background: The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational
opportunities and cultural relations. British Council Pakistan manages a range of activities
that sit within four strategic business units (SBUs): English, Arts, Education, and Society.
The Research, Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (REMU) was created last year to elevate the
British Council as a thought leader and to add depth, evidence, and thus credibility to our
SBUs programmes. REMU has published many successful research reports in line with the
global trend of individual empowerment1 including; ‘Pakistan’s Creative Industries’, and
‘Mainstreaming Disability in Pakistan’.
British Council Pakistan also began ‘The Next Generation Research Series’ in 2009 which
brought the opinions and perspectives of young people in Pakistan to the forefront of policy
debates. REMU supports the appeal made in these reports for Pakistan to harness the
potential of its young people. We believe that the individual empowerment of young
Pakistanis in both Pakistan and the UK is a crucial determining element in the future of
Pakistan. As the British Council is a cultural relations organisation, we also see this as an
opportunity to do more to engage with diaspora populations living in the UK.
Project description: ‘Perceptions of young Pakistanis in the UK and in Pakistan’ aims to
increase our understanding of the socio economic implications that values, identity and
aspirations of young Pakistani’s have on their livelihood. We are primarily concerned with the
role of culture, not religion, or politics, and though we accept the role these play, we are not
supporting any agendas which isolate young Pakistanis or Muslims in the UK.
This research will be framed around the context of education and employment. We would
like to understand three elements: identity (past), values (present thinking), and aspirations
(future). Our target sample is current students aged between 18 and 24 who live in Pakistan,
or who are currently living in the UK but are of Pakistani origin. We are also interested in the
gender variable and this balance will be reflected in our sample and should also be present
in the formation of survey questions.
This project is a scoping exercise to create a large dataset which will be used as a baseline
for further research and/or programme interventions both within the British Council and by
external partners. REMU will be completing this cross cultural study in collaboration with
universities in the UK and in Pakistan with the intent of collecting responses from over 5,000
young Pakistanis from both locations.
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National Intelligence Council 2030 global trends report
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October 2014
REMU
Certain elements of the research will be supported by consultants - please refer to the other
listed TORs for report writing services. This TOR is in reference to the literature review and
questionnaire design. The questionnaire needs to be designed collaboratively between
a UK and Pakistani consultant to ensure all elements which may influence a young person
in both countries are accounted for. Applications can either be made from one country or
jointly between the UK and Pakistan. Preference will be given to proposals made in
partnership.
Validated instruments are available which are used for academic and well-being research
but are often medically focused or too detailed and lengthy. Since this is an exploratory
study, we only require questions which will indicate emerging themes and identify or
signpost areas for further investigation. We are open to interpretations and suggestions
regarding additional elements, but are particularly interested in the following indicators:
1. Cross cultural links; relationship with Pakistan, global outlook, differences within
countries and similarities between them
2. Employment; decision to study, subjects chosen, student experience, career
aspirations and prospects, work experience, life skills
3. Well-being; support networks, coping mechanisms, perceived quality of life & health,
growth, relationships, happiness
4. Inequality; discrimination, fit within society, voice heard, moral justifications
5. Reason to leave or remain in Pakistan; role of the family, belonging, confidence in
institutions (press, education, police, health care etc.), life choices, influencers
Ethical Consideration: Participants will be informed about the objectives of this study prior
to completing the survey and will be assured of confidentiality. The questionnaire needs to
collect demographic information but respondents will remain anonymous. All respondents
will be given the option to participation in future qualitative research. The British Council
operates under UK law and the same act of confidentiality as the UK universities we have
engaged with; however some may require additional approval of the research questions from
their ethical committees prior to circulation.
Research objectives:
1. To collect quantitative data on a "big-picture," macro scale, in order to be able
to understand the perceptions of young people of Pakistani origin in Pakistan and the UK
2. To uncover notions of identity and values for a better understanding of the texture and
meaning of their lived experiences
3. Identify and understand the aspirations of young people in both locations, in the context
of employability
4. To inform policy and stakeholders on emerging themes of the survey of youth in Pakistan
and the UK;
a. Identify the needed resources
b. Identify the best practices
c. Interpret the understanding of their perceptions
Methodology:
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Universities across the UK and Pakistan have been identified and briefed on the project
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October 2014
REMU
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A literature review will be completed by this consultancy to aid the development of the
questionnaire
Questionnaire designed and pretested in both Pakistan and the UK
Online surveys circulated through our university network to over 5,000 18-24 year old
respondents in the UK and Pakistan
In depth analysis and report writing conducted
Emerging themes presented to British Council colleagues to inform SBU project planning
Results disseminated in both countries and seminar discussions held in each partner
university
Advocacy events held for government representatives and other stakeholders in
Pakistan and the UK
Report published and presented at an international conference or seminar
Outputs:
1. Read all relevant contextual documentation provided by the British Council and become
fully familiar with the cross cultural study research, youth engagement programmes, and
diaspora connection strategies
2. Complete a literature review with full bibliography
3. Design a questionnaire which will meet the projects objectives outlined above
4. Include full referencing of the designed tool
5. Pilot the questionnaire with a small group which is representative of our target sample (in
both Pakistan and the UK) and make any required alterations
Timeframe:
13th October 2014
24h October 2014
31st October 2014
5th November 2014
Expression of interest
Contract awarded
Draft questionnaire
Final questionnaire
The expression of interest should include:
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Personal and/or organisational profile and up to date CV/s
A short statement describing your approach
Total fee for completed delivery of all stated outputs with a breakdown of given costs
including the Pakistan and UK elements
Evidence of the required qualifications and experience:
- Understanding of the British Council’s objectives (essential)
- Two years’ full-time experience of working on research projects (essential)
- 2+ reports published in peer reviewed international journals (essential)
- Two years’ full-time experience of analysing data and report writing (essential)
- Experience of designing questionnaires used in published works (desirable)
- Experience of working on cross cultural projects (desirable)
Please submit your expression of interest to the above requirements by 13th October 2014,
write the email subject as: ‘Research consultancy’ and send it to:
dawn.lowry-hair@britishcouncil.org
Please note, responses will only be given to successful applicants and the contract will be
awarded within seven working days of the application deadline.
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