Participatory Learning and Action 18:
RRA Notes 18: General IssueIIED, June 1993. 75 pp.
Out of print except as part of a complete set of back issues:
Summary
This issue reflects the rich diversity of both thoughtful and practical contributions from around the world. Some of the methods covered are: genealogies and mapping, pie diagrams, wealth ranking, and matrix ranking. Case studies are from India, Indonesia, Australia, Chad, Zimbabwe, Nepal, and the Philippines.
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1. Genealogies as a method of social mapping in PRA
David Mosse and Mona Mehta
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Abstract
This article draws on several experiences in India to describe how discussions around kinship mapping can help understand local social identities in a community. Such genealogies help to overcome the statistical fiction that communities are composed of assemblies of independent households.
2. Are some ‘participatory’ techniques culturally biased? (Or: are we hooked on Mom's apple pie?)
Gerard J. Gill
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Abstract
The author provides a light look at ethnocentric biases in research methods, focusing on pie diagrams. He argues that the concept of a pie or cake cut into wedge-shaped servings is quite alien to some societies and describes an approach to measurement that is both indigenous, easier to understand and more accurate than pie diagrams.
3. Community self-survey
Huub Gaymans and Yanti Maskoen
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Abstract
This article describes the use of community self-surveys in West Java, where community members used questionnaires and mapping as the basis for the planning, improvement and construction of water and sanitation facilities. The authors say the process must go beyond mere data collection by the community. The relative advantages and drawbacks of PRA and self-surveys are also outlined.
4. Learning to use RRA and PRA to improve the activities of two landcare groups in Australia
Tony Dunn
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Abstract
This paper reports on the use of RRA in two Australian rural communities. Several issues are described which relate to the application of RRA in a context other than the Third World by researchers and undergraduate agricultural students with no previous experience in the methodology. Also discussed are the institutional barriers to an RRA approach and the need to develop new extension approaches to complex land and social degradation problems.
5. Finding out how people prioritise their food security problems in Chad: the challenges of RRA at national level
M. Buchanan-Smith, K. Abdelkader, M. Saleh Abdelmajid, A. Allemane, I. Banguita, Behom, S. Djel, B. Idrissa, U. Kleih, B. Mbailenang, F. Rivière, A. Sainibi, D. Tambayo and B. Vandou
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Abstract
Based on informal survey in Chad, this article reports on how on how the principles of RRA can be used beyond the community level at the regional or national level. It examines the challenges of scaling up and concludes that RRA seems to be an appropriate way of collecting qualitative information on local people's perceptions to be fed into national planning processes, which may challenge the conventional wisdom and open new lines of enquiry.
6. Community participation in small and big villages
N. Narayanasamy and M.P. Boraian
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Abstract
This article reflects on the advantages and disadvantages of conducting PRAs in larger and smaller villages, and concludes that, in general, smaller villages are easier to work in.
7. Some observations on wealth ranking after an RRA looking at soil fertility management in Northeastern Zimbabwe
S. Carter, A. Chidiamassamba, P. Jeranyama, B. Mafukidze, G. Malakela, Z. Mvena, M. Mudhara, N. Nabane, S. Van Oosterhout-Campbell, L. Price and N. Sithole
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Abstract
This article looks at the use of wealth ranking to elicit a stratification of households in two villages in Northeastern Zimbabwe. The focus of the study was farmers' use of different techniques for soil fertility management. The first part of the article looks in hindsight at the usefulness of wealth ranking for this and other applications in the field of natural resource management. The second part of the article details some errors that were made with the technique in one of the villages.
8. Wealth ranking for agricultural research purposes in the Eastern Hills of Nepal
G.O'G. Sharrock, K. Waldie and Y. Joshi
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Abstract
Wealth ranking was used in Nepal to understand better the diversity of agricultural households and to help target research efforts more appropriately. The authors focus on the methodological dilemmas raised after the wealth ranking is done: 'the real expertise is needed at the stages of data collation, interpretation and application'. The danger lies in seeing the method as a simple tool and as an end to itself.
9. FARMI's experiences on wealth ranking in the Philippines: different farmers have different needs
L. Tung and F. Baliña
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Abstract
This article examines the use of group interviews instead of individual key informants for wealth ranking exercises, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
10. PRA: an approach to find felt needs of crop varieties
M. Manoharan, K. Velayudham and N. Shunmugavalli
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Abstract
Two matrix ranking exercises were held with a group of villagers in Tamil Nadu, to understand better what varietal characteristics of rice and banana they, as plant breeders, should focus on.
Smbolic introductions
J.Vella
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