Metodologia qualitativa em avaliação de políticas públicas: pesquisa sobre o Pronaf em Caucaia, Ceará

Abstract

Taking into account the methodology used to collect data from beneficiaries of Pronaf- B in the research carried out in Caucaia, Ceará, we reflect, in the present article, about the connection existing between quantitative and qualitative methods. We conclude that once such connection is supported by ethnographic research, it is able to promote more reliable results besides providing deeper clarification of the facts investigated. This article starts presenting an introduction, which brings details concerning the methodology used in the aforementioned research. In this section, we highlight three aspects evidenced during the data collection as possible elements to lead to misinterpretation in case only one of the methods would be applied: first, the use and the adverse possession of land, then, the marital status and sex of the beneficiary, and finally, the credit management. After presenting these three cases, we find out that it is necessary to connect different methodologies in order to promote more effective analyses of public policy.