Methodology
A transparent and evidence-based methodology for documenting the realities, opportunities, challenges, and future priorities of Kashmir’s handicraft ecosystem.
Methodology Overview
The assessment combines:
Assessment Lifecycle
The State of Kashmir Crafts 2026 follows a transparent online assessment process from framework design to stakeholder participation, validation, expert review, and final publication.
Foundation
Design & Framework Development
Define scope, governance, methodology, advisory structure, and consultation standards.
Official Launch & Institutional Outreach
Launch the initiative, publish official messages, and invite institutions to participate.
Participation
Stakeholder Enrollment
Register artisans, institutions, researchers, citizens, businesses, and public bodies.
Public Participation Campaign
Invite online participation through media, institutions, partners, and public outreach.
Structured Online Data Collection
Collect stakeholder-specific responses through digital consultation instruments.
Engagement
Virtual Consultations
Conduct online meetings, written submissions, and stakeholder follow-ups.
Online Public Hearings
Host topic-based virtual hearings on major craft-sector priorities.
Evidence Repository
Collect, classify, and archive documents, reports, media, and testimonies.
Analysis & Review
Draft Findings
Publish “What We Heard” summaries before recommendations are finalized.
Validation Round
Allow stakeholders to correct, clarify, and strengthen draft findings.
Expert Review
Invite experts to review methodology, evidence, findings, and recommendations.
Publication
Final Report
Publish the State of Kashmir Crafts 2026 report, executive summary, evidence index, and media kit.
Stakeholder Categories
The groups consulted to build a comprehensive sector view.
Artisans
For raw ground realities and production hurdles.
Weavers
To understand loom-based specific challenges.
Manufacturers
For scaling, labor, and capital issues.
Exporters
For global trade, tariffs, and buyer feedback.
Retailers
For domestic market trends and consumer behavior.
Online Sellers
For e-commerce logistics and digital marketing.
Cooperatives
To gauge collective bargaining and shared resources.
Women Entrepreneurs
To understand gender-specific barriers.
Youth
For skill transfer and new generation perspectives.
Universities
For academic research and curriculum integration.
Researchers
For independent studies and historical context.
Media
For public perception and narrative shaping.
Government Departments
For policy implementation and official data.
Political Parties
For legislative priorities and advocacy.
Tourism Stakeholders
For craft-tourism intersection and footfall.
Financial Institutions
For credit access and funding insights.
Heritage Organizations
For preservation and cultural continuity.
Citizens
For consumer trust and local appreciation.
Diaspora
For global Kashmiri advocacy and market reach.
Data Collection Methods
Structured Questionnaire System
Different stakeholders receive different consultation instruments. Each questionnaire may vary in length and focus depending on the respondent's expertise.
Virtual Consultation Protocol
Evidence Standards
Each evidence item should support findings where applicable.
Validation Methodology
Draft findings are published before recommendations are finalized.
Stakeholders are invited to:
This step improves accuracy and credibility.
Expert Review Methodology
Reviewers provide comments but do not control final findings.
Data Analysis Framework
All submissions should be tagged under one or more categories.
Limitations
Acknowledging limitations improves credibility. Potential limitations may include:
Annual Comparison Framework
Future reports will allow long-term tracking of sector change.