Chapter
3:
Methodology
Thus
the
following
areas
have
been
selected:
Sana’a
Basin,
Wadi
Siham
(Tihama),
and
Ta’izz
Basin
(city
and
surrounding
areas).
These
case
studies
reflect
different
themes
(see
table),
but
are
similar
in
geographical
scale.
Note
that:
•
The
definition
of
basins
in
Yemen
is
open
to
debate
as
some
of
the
basins
cannot
be
clearly
defined;
for
example,
Sana’a
Basin
is
a
mountain
plateau
instead
of
a
‘basin’.
•
In
the
coastal
plains
of
Tihama
the
boundaries
of
the
plains
are
hard
to
distinguish.
Consequently,
conflictuous
situations
may
spill
over
from
one
area
to
another.
3.2.4
Research
partners
The
desktop
research
is
carried
out
by
The
Hague
Institute
for
Global
Justice,
Utrecht
University,
UNESCO-‐IHE
and
Meta-‐Meta.
Given
the
security
situation
in
Yemen,
we
decided
to
carry
out
the
field
research
via
the
Water
and
Environment
Centre
(WEC),
affiliated
to
the
Sana’a
University.
WEC
is
the
direct
local
counterpart
in
this
research,
providing
administrative
and
logistical
support
to
three
local
consultants
carrying
out
the
fieldwork.
Two
of
these
consultants
worked
together,
while
a
third
expert
triangulated
the
results
and
added
her
specific
experience.
As
such,
we
are
able
to
avoid
bias
and
other
errors.
The
consultants
have
carried
out
individual
interviews
and
focus
group
interviews
with:
• Farmers,
tank
operators,
etc.
• Local
bureaucrates
• High
level
bureaucrats
• Legal
experts
• Civil
society
representatives
• Judges
• Other
relevant
experts
In
addition,
during
the
fieldwork,
a
Dutch
team
of
experts
reviewed
the
fieldstudy
results.
During
a
stakeholder
consultation
meeting
the
results
of
the
fieldwork
and
analysis
are
discussed
with
the
stakeholders
and
the
Dutch
project
team.
The
final
draft
report
has
been
reviewed
by
Dutch
and
international
experts.
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