About Target Research
A small research firm, by design
Target Research is a research and advisory firm in Bishkek. We carry out field studies, evaluations and political analysis for organisations working in Central Asia.
We take on a limited number of studies at a time. That keeps the person who scopes your study involved until the report is delivered, and lets us bring in the right specialists for each assignment rather than whoever happens to be on staff.
How the firm is set up
One accountable lead, the right team for each study
Every study is put together from three parts. The lead stays the same; the associates and field partners change with the topic and the method.
Lead
Principal researcher
Designs the study, agrees it with you in writing, leads the analysis and writes the report.
- Your single point of contact
- Responsible for quality and the final text
Expertise
Associate researchers
Specialists engaged for a particular study, such as a sector expert or a methodologist with the right languages.
- Chosen for each assignment
- Named in the proposal, with CVs on request
Reach
Field partners
Established survey and data-collection companies that run fieldwork at scale and outside Bishkek.
- Partners across Central Asia
- Working to our instruments and under our supervision
Confidentiality and data protection terms in your contract apply to everyone who works on your study.
Founder and Principal
Dr Shairbek Juraev
Shairbek Juraev (also published as Dzhuraev) is a political scientist who has spent more than twenty years researching governance and security in Central Asia, in universities and in applied research for international organisations. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St Andrews and an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and was Deputy Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.
At Target Research he designs each study and is responsible for its analysis and reporting. He also co-founded Crossroads Central Asia, the non-profit research institute described below.
What we hold to
How we work with clients
These commitments go into every proposal we send.
Independent findings
We report what the evidence shows, including when it is not what the client hoped for. We decline work where the conclusion is expected in advance.
Discretion
Many of our studies touch on politically sensitive subjects. We do not name clients or share their reports without consent.
Care for participants
Informed consent and anonymity for everyone we interview, and data stored securely and used only for the study it was collected for.
Plain reporting
Methods and limitations are stated in every report, and recommendations are written for the people who will act on them.
Sister organisation
Target Research and Crossroads Central Asia
Our founder also leads a non-profit research institute. The two organisations have different roles.
Commercial firm
Target Research LLC
Commissioned work, contracted and invoiced as a company.
- Studies and evaluations for clients
- Political risk briefings and advisory
- Target Trajectory Monitor
Non-profit institute, founded 2018
Crossroads Central Asia
Grant-funded research and public engagement.
- Research funded by foundations and research programmes
- Conferences, public debate and policy dialogue
- Partner in academic research consortia
Some of our founder’s earlier assignments were contracted through Crossroads Central Asia, before Target Research took on commissioned work directly. crossroads-ca.org →