Participatory Rural Appraisal

What is Participatory Rural Appraisal? an intensive, systematic but semi-structured learning experience carried out in a community by a multi-disciplinary team participatory approaches and methods that emphasize local knowledge

an approach for shared learning between local people and outsiders where knowledge of local people is valued as equally important as scientific expertise facilitates information sharing, analysis, and action among stakeholders

a learning process – both for the people in the community and for the development workers an evolving concept – continues to be refined as more experiences and lessons from the field are learned

Uses of PRA feasibility studies needs assessment identifying priorities for development activities - project or program evaluations - general analysis of specific topic, question, or problem

Purpose of PRA To gain an understanding of the complexities of a topic (not gather a highly accurate statistics on a list of variables) To obtain a differentiated understanding of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors towards an issue/topic

To facilitate dialogue and exchange of information between community and development workers To promote shared analysis of the community’s situation, their needs, priorities and constraints

To encourage active participation of the community in identifying, monitoring and evaluating alternative options to address problems To build the community’s capability in preparing action plans relevant to their needs and existing resources

Key Principles of PRA Participation - local people's input into PRA activities is essential to its value; encourage them to do the task Teamwork - a well-balanced team will represent the diversity of socioeconomic, cultural, gender, and generational perspectives

Flexibility - combination of techniques will be determined by such variables as: size and skill mix of the PRA team time and resources available topic and location of the work Optimal ignorance - PRA work intends to gather just enough information; approach with open mind; put aside personal biases and prejudices

Triangulation - a form of cross-checking; check reliability of information from at least three sources using different methods - composition of the team (multidisciplinary, insiders/outsiders, men/women) - sources of information (events/processes, people, place) - mix of tools and techniques (diagrams, interviews/discussions, observations)

PRA requires: Participation Respect for community members Interest in what they know,say,show or do Patience, not rushing nor interrupting Listening, not lecturing Humility Methods that empower to express, share, enhance and analyze people’s knowledge

PRA vs. Formal Research Methods short time long time low cost high cost flexible fixed High participation Low participation On-the-spot analysis Analysis in the office Little statistical analysis Heavy stat analysis

PRA vs. Formal Research Methods Semi-structured interviews & GDs Formal questionnaires Opportunity sample Random sample Multi-disciplinary team Enumerators Non-hierarchical Hierarchical Best for learning and understanding rural people’s opinions, behaviors & attitudes Best for gathering representative, quantitative data & statistical analysis

Some PRA Tools Secondary data review Semi-structured interviewing Focus group discussions Priority matrix Mapping and modeling Seasonal and historical diagramming Venn/Institutional diagram

Some PRA Tools (cont.) Problem ranking Pie charts Village walk or transect – diagram of main land use zones (soil, land use, crops, etc) Resource Flow Diagram Time Line – chronological description of important events in the past Etc.

Sequence of Tools/Techniques PRA tools can be combined in a number of different ways Clarify objectives Decide what information is needed Match the appropriate tools Plan a logical sequencing of the tools

Objectives Suggested PRA Tools Initial Phase Second Phase Third Phase to get an overview of the general bio-physical and social conditions in the locality to understand the community’s past experiences Village walk Base Map Social Map Village transect Timeline Second Phase to get specific information on people’s livelihood systems to have a deeper understanding of activities in the community Seasonal calendar Resource flow Venn diagram Trend analysis Problem cause diagram Problem ranking Third Phase to identify development priorities of villagers Possible solution ranking Final Phase to evaluate jointly and formulate action plans SWOT analysis TOWS matrix

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