Lecture 6 Participatory Research Methods(1)

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Participatory Methods of researchGeog 336JA Yaro

Introduction Models of development theory and practice that evolved in the 70's and 80's required new research techniques capable of gaining understanding of social complexity in rapidly changing and uncertain environments. The term participatory research refers to both a set of methods and a methodological approach, which in turn is influenced by the attitudes, training and political orientation of researchers Participatory Research strategies emphasise participation and empowerment of actorsUses visual analysis techniques: informal mapping and diagramming, ranking and scoring methods to explore patterns of time, space, flows, relationships and decisions affecting livelihood systems.

Methodological approachesRRA: Rapid rural appraisal: flexible progressive learning, multi-disciplinary research teams, community participation, outsiders gain information from rural people in a timely and cost effective manner PRA: Participatory rural appraisal: shift from extractive mode to empowering and facilitating active local participation in planning activities PLA: Participatory learning and action: more emphasis on mutual learning, attitudes and behaviour of researchers, and taking action on the outcomes

PRA: OriginPRA has been evolved from RRA (Rapid Rural Appraisal)In mid 80s the necessity of participation in rural development became evident and the term PRA was bornThe understanding of PRA came mostly from the field rather than academiaPRA mostly focuses on the empowerment of people through participationThe sustainability rate of PRA is high due to the participation of the local people The sense of ownership and belongingness is critical for PRA and hence the success of projects defined

Principles shared by PRA & RRAReversal of learningTo learn from the local peopleLearning rapidly and progressivelyExploration, flexible methods, adaptableOffsetting biasTo be receptive rather than having preconceived ideasOptimizing tradeoffsUnderstanding the usefulness of informationTriangulating Crosschecking and approximation

Participatory Research? Some attributesConcern with relations of power: emphasis on the perspectives of the poor Analysis by local people: researchers facilitate localLearning takes place face to face and on the spot. Continuous analysis and progressive, systematic learning - inquiry is cumulativeSeeking multiple perspectives: recognises complexity and looks for diversity.Relies on triangulation - many voices included Visual medium: visual diagramming - participation of marginalised people: mapping, time lines, seasonal analysis, matrix ranking and scoring. Context specific: flexible, innovate and improvise in different circumstances. Leading to change strong capacity building element for local participants

Exclusive Principles of PRAEmpowermentThe authority to local people through decentralization and confidence buildingSelf critical awarenessMistakes are lessons to learn and to do better next timePersonal responsibilityThe belongingness and ownership to the participants SharingTo discuss and argue about ideas in open forum with all stakeholders

Adopted from Chambers 2007

Participatory Data Collection TechniquesReview of secondary sources Documents, statistics, reports, books, files, aerial photos, maps Direct observation Semi-structured interviews Individual interviewsKey informant interviewsGroup/community interviewsFocus group interviewsKey indicators: short surveys and other sourcesLocal, national and global indicators Objectives and performance indicators Case studies and stories Life histories, oral or written stories by key people, e.g. school children

Whats in it?Secondary sourcesSemi-structured interviewsKey informantsGroups of various kindsDo-it-yourselfThey do itParticipatory analysis of secondary sources- aerial photographsParticipatory mapping and modelingTransect walksTime line and trend and change analysisOral histories and ethno-biographiesSeasonal CalendarsDaily time use analysisLivelihood analysisParticipatory linkage diagrammingInstitutional or Venn DiagrammingWell being and wealth grouping and rankingAnalysis of differenceMatrix scoring and rankingEstimates and quantificationStories, portraits and case studiesTeam contracts and InteractionsPresentation and analysisParticipatory planning, budgeting, monitoringGroup discussions

Participatory Data Collection: TechniquesRanking and scoring Well-being or wealth ranking Scoring and ranking of options Matrix scoring and rankingConstruction and analysis of maps, models and diagrams Social and resource maps Topic and theme maps Census maps and models TransectsDiagramming Causal, linkage and flow diagramming Time lines, trend analysis Seasonal diagrams Activity profiles and daily routines: Venn diagrams Triangulation Data triangulation Investigator triangulation

ProblemConstrains on Agricultural productionRespondents A B C D E F Score RankingDroughtWeedsCost of inputsLabour shortage5 5 3 5 4 5 27 a4 3 5 4 5 4 25 b3 4 4 1 3 3 18 c2 1 2 2 2 2 11 d5 is the most important , 1 is the least importantAfter This and Grady, 1991:64

Problem ranking of agricultural production

Students perceptions about the difficulty of subjects in their school ranked in order of importanceSubjectStudent respondentA B C D E Total RankingEnglishMathematicsEconomicsGeographyScience4 5 2 3 3 17 c5 3 5 5 2 20 a1 2 1 2 1 7 e3 5 2 4 5 19 b2 1 3 1 4 11 d5 is the most difficult, and 1 is the least difficult For ranking, a is the highest, then b, c, d, and e in order of difficulty

Diagram of Matrix Showing Ranking of Food Crops with Criteria

Strengths of participatory researchEliciting peoples own analysis of their poverty and wellbeing provides a deeper understanding of dimensions of poverty than income and consumption indicators. Understanding complexity and diversity of livelihood strategiesEstablishing causality; Identifying barriers to participation, factors of social exclusion and; assessing social capital of different groups according to gender, age, caste, and ethnicity. Highlighting areas for further detailed research using other methods and comparative analysisAdaptability and flexibility of methods provide potential for working in emergency situations and politically difficult environmentsCapacity building of local people (as well as external researchers) advocacy and for increased participation in policy development Influencing policy and practice : 'Scaling up' - linking of information from communities to broader policy dialogue: CBOs to UN

Weaknesses of participatory researchRapid data gathering for analysis out of the field: Experience has shown that for effective outcomes, preparation time, (including training and stakeholder identification) and follow up time (including dissemination and policy linking) is equal if not greater than time spent on research activities in communities. Generating statistical data: Although some of the methods can produce quantitative data, the focus of the approach is to provide in-depth analysis within locally identified contexts. Comparability and generating commensurable information: Information gathered and shared in different contexts may be hard to synthesise for central planning. Quality of data and information is dependent on researcher skillsFatigue by local people as different research groups come and goWithout good triangulation, data may be biased by people seeking development aid

Practicalities and difficulties in applying participatory methodsRaising expectations - one of the dilemmas of researchers working intensely with poor and powerless people: express clearly the purpose of the inquiry and what role, if any, they will play in future activitiesSkills and attitudes - the accessibility and simplicity of some of the techniques makes it possible to apply them mechanistically without understanding of their use. Requires good communication, facilitation and conflict negotiation skills. Be sensitive to local gender and power differences There's no blue-print - choice and sequence of methods needs to be adapted to each situation. This requires good team working skills and has implications for training of researchers. Getting the right team - requires networking and preparation. Team building is crucialDepth and spread - there are payoffs in terms of time, cost and outcomes in deciding between detailed research in fewer research sites and spending less time in a greater range of communities.

BibliographyMikkelsen, B. 1995. Methods for Development Work and Research. Sage, London Lilja , Nina and Mauricio Bellon ; Some common questions about participatory research: a review of the literature, Development in Practice, Volume 18, Numbers 45, August 2008.Chambers, Robert; The Origins and Practice of Participatory Rural Appraisal. World Development, Volume 22, No 7, pp 953-969, 1994.Chambers, Robert; From PRA to PLA and Pluralism: Practice and Theory, Working Paper 286, IDS, 2007.Cornwall, Andrea; Towards participatory practice: participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and the participatory process in De Koning, Korrie and Martin Marion (1996). Participatory Research in Health: Issues and Experiences. Zen Books Ltd., London.

What will you consider to be the major difficulties with using participatory methods of research? Justify with examples.