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In the first stage an initial survey of the extant literature (reports, research articles and
surveys) in the area of SHG was undertaken. This was followed by collation and
synthesis of key themes and relevant parts were incorporated into the questionnaire.
In parallel, nodal agencies in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka – typically NGOs with access to
SHGs – were identified and listed for soliciting cooperation to conduct the study. After
the initial round of dialogue to ascertain the nodal agencies inclination to assist the study
the following agencies were identified as suitable partners; Hand in Hand at
Kancheepuram and Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP) at Krishnagiri in
Tamil Nadu and Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRD)
from Karnataka. In addition to inclination these agencies were also chosen because of
their long experience in the SHG movement; availability of multi-tenured SHGs and their
expansive geographical reach within Tamil Nadu. These agencies were then briefed on
the nature of the project and types of assistance required – contact persons within the
agencies, making available the SHG contacts database and facilitating contact with field
level officers and workers. Based on these discussions and taking into consideration the
objectives of the study and the required characteristics of the sample four districts in
Tamil Nadu and two from Karnataka were identified (more on this in the Sampling
section).
Preliminary field visits were made to meet some SHGs in the above districts. During
these visits four FGDs (more on FGDs in the FGD section) were conducted with SHG
members of these districts. Based on the inputs from FGDs and discussion with nodal
agencies the initial draft of the questionnaire was updated. The instrument was translated
into Tamil to facilitate easy administering. This questionnaire was then introduced to the
