1. Rapid Assessment Process RAP James Beebe Gonzaga University 2002

2. RAP RAP is intensive, team-based ethnographic inquiry using triangulation and iterative data analysis and additional data collection to quickly develop a preliminary understanding of a situation from the insider’s perspective. RAP is intensive, team-based ethnographic inquiry using triangulation and iterative data analysis and additional data collection to quickly develop a preliminary understanding of a situation from the insider’s perspective.

3. Triangulation  http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged598 0a/5980/newpage21.htm http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged598 0a/5980/newpage21.htm http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged598 0a/5980/newpage21.htm  Denzin (1978) has identified several types of triangulation. One type involves the convergence of multiple data sources. Another type is methodological triangulation, which involves the convergence of data from multiple data collection sources. A third triangulation procedure is investigator triangulation, in which multiple researchers are involved in an investigation. Related to investigator triangulation is researcher-participant corroboration, which has also been referred to as cross-examination.

4. RAP cannot be done by one person.

5. RAP can be used to make preliminary decisions about interventions or changes make preliminary decisions about interventions or changes make decisions about additional research. make decisions about additional research. RAP can also be used for monitoring and evaluation. RAP can also be used for monitoring and evaluation.

6. Usually RAP should NOT be used for estimating numbers or percents.

7. Results can be produced in as few as four day, as few as four day, but usually requires several weeks. but usually requires several weeks.

8. The RAP team should seek out the poorer, the poorer, less articulate, less articulate, more upset, and more upset, and those least like the members of the RAP team. those least like the members of the RAP team.

9. Stories NOT Answers The goal is to get the insiders to tell their stories and NOT answer the questions of the outsiders. The goal is to get the insiders to tell their stories and NOT answer the questions of the outsiders.

10. Teamwork The success of RAP depends upon the quality of the teamwork. The success of RAP depends upon the quality of the teamwork.

11. Intensive teamwork Intensive teamwork for both the data collection and analysis is an alternative to prolonged fieldwork. Intensive teamwork for both the data collection and analysis is an alternative to prolonged fieldwork.

12. Intensive teamwork Intensive teamwork helps produce a preliminary understanding of a situation from the insider’s perspective. Intensive teamwork helps produce a preliminary understanding of a situation from the insider’s perspective.

13. Team interaction Team interaction is necessary for rapid triangulation in data collection. Team interaction is necessary for rapid triangulation in data collection. Team interaction is necessary for understanding the insiders’ categories and definitions. Team interaction is necessary for understanding the insiders’ categories and definitions.

14. Team interaction The RAP team should be together most of the time. The RAP team should be together most of the time. All team members should be involved in data collection and data analysis, including the preparation of the report. All team members should be involved in data collection and data analysis, including the preparation of the report.

15. Team interviewing RAP uses group discussion involving the entire team and the local participants (team interviewing), RAP uses group discussion involving the entire team and the local participants (team interviewing), NOT sequential interviewing by individual members of the team. NOT sequential interviewing by individual members of the team.

16. Insiders Teams should be composed of a mix of insiders and outsiders. Teams should be composed of a mix of insiders and outsiders. At least one team member of the RAP team should be an insider. At least one team member of the RAP team should be an insider. After the rest of the RAP team leaves, the insider continues to be called upon to clarify results, resolve pending issues, and help organize local responses. After the rest of the RAP team leaves, the insider continues to be called upon to clarify results, resolve pending issues, and help organize local responses.

17. Cultural differences and diversity Sensitivity to cultural differences is essential. Sensitivity to cultural differences is essential. Team diversity improves cultural sensitivity and helps establish credibility with local communities. Team diversity improves cultural sensitivity and helps establish credibility with local communities.

18. Flexibility Flexibility is critical for using RAP in a wide variety of situations. Flexibility is critical for using RAP in a wide variety of situations. Some specific techniques have proven to be especially effective, but they are not the only techniques that can be used. Some specific techniques have proven to be especially effective, but they are not the only techniques that can be used. Relaxed, semi-structured interviewing that provides respondents with time to think is often effective in eliciting stories. Relaxed, semi-structured interviewing that provides respondents with time to think is often effective in eliciting stories.

19. Audio recording of interviews Usually interviews should be tape-recorded. Usually interviews should be tape-recorded. Tape recorders should be expected to fail. Tape recorders should be expected to fail.

20. RAP Sheet A “RAP Sheet” should be used to document what was done. A “RAP Sheet” should be used to document what was done. A RAP Sheet allows the reader of a RAP report to judge the quality of the work. A RAP Sheet allows the reader of a RAP report to judge the quality of the work.

21. Successful RAP Members of the RAP team need to recognize: Members of the RAP team need to recognize: They don’t know enough to ask questions, They don’t know enough to ask questions, They don’t know enough to provide the answers, but They don’t know enough to provide the answers, but They do know enough to want to empower others to solve their own problems. They do know enough to want to empower others to solve their own problems.

22. Iterative Analysis and Additional Data Collection Time is divided between Time is divided between blocks used for collecting information and blocks used for collecting information and blocks when the team does data analysis and considers changes in the next round of data collection. blocks when the team does data analysis and considers changes in the next round of data collection.

23. Iterative Analysis and Additional Data Collection Team interaction before each new cycle of data collection is very important. Team interaction before each new cycle of data collection is very important.

24. Analysis Analysis begins with the first round of data collection. Analysis begins with the first round of data collection. Analysis involves: Analysis involves: Coding the data, Coding the data, Displaying relationships in the data, and Displaying relationships in the data, and Drawing conclusions. Drawing conclusions.

25. Coding Coding involves dividing what participants have said into thought units and applying a few labels to selected units. Coding involves dividing what participants have said into thought units and applying a few labels to selected units.

26. Some techniques for understanding data Identifying patterns and themes Identifying patterns and themes Seeking plausibility Seeking plausibility Clustering Clustering Metaphor making, and Metaphor making, and Counting Counting

27. Member checking Sharing conclusions before they are final with the people who have provided the information is a critical part of the iterative analysis process. Sharing conclusions before they are final with the people who have provided the information is a critical part of the iterative analysis process.

28. RAP is an idea whose time has come. ? Only if it not oversold and only if it is implemented rigorously.