I also think that researchers especially students engaged in research should be coming from that same village where we will be doing research. Am trying to say, "set a thief to catch a thief". That same student would have better knowledge of the indigenous systems within that community so it will be easier for him/her to interact with the villagers even using their mother tongue (local language). My experience in Zimbabwe (am Zimbabwean) is that you can't work within a village without being introduced to the community by a senior government official, who, in most cases will be a politician. So it's a very long process which to some extent you can't start your research as per schedule because of those formalities. That's why on my previous comment I talked of taking on board politicians.
Terry,
I also think that researchers especially students engaged in research should be coming from that same village where we will be doing research. Am trying to say, "set a thief to catch a thief". That same student would have better knowledge of the indigenous systems within that community so it will be easier for him/her to interact with the villagers even using their mother tongue (local language). My experience in Zimbabwe (am Zimbabwean) is that you can't work within a village without being introduced to the community by a senior government official, who, in most cases will be a politician. So it's a very long process which to some extent you can't start your research as per schedule because of those formalities. That's why on my previous comment I talked of taking on board politicians.