Cross-cultural issues, small states and research: capacity building in Belize

The article examines ways of improving the contribution of research and eva luation to the process of educational development in small states. This is done with reference to the related theoretical literature and the experienc e of recent studies conducted as part of the Belize Primary Education Devel opment Project in Central America. Particular attention is given to the imp lications of changing geopolitical relations for the nature and focus of ed ucational research; to the process of applied research and evaluation capac ity building; to the cultural dimensions of north-south collaboration; and to ways of reducing the vulnerability of small states to the influence of p owerful international agendas promoted by the processes of globalisation. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.