Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

What is PRA used for?

PRA is a method for collecting data quickly and

accurately
It can be used to collect data in many types of

settings, from the illiterate village to the corporate board room

PRA is used to identify, formulate, implement,

monitor and evaluate projects

Types of PRA
Exploratory: PRA tools and techniques are used to

diagnose the current situation

(e.g. health and health facilities, education, farming system, gender

analysis livelihoods etc)

Topical: Application of PRA to specific area of concern (e.g. soil fertility, water, specific disease, diet, income etc) Problem solving: Diagnosis of problems and

suggestions of solution with participation of people

Assumptions of PRA
Community development issues of all types are a common

concern to all in the group. Solutions to these issues require the active and responsible involvement of the entire community
Collective action is possible only when all stakeholders of

a community develop a clear common understanding about the issue

Communities have knowledge, information and resources

but it needs to be organized and mobilized

Participation
Spectrum of weak to strong participation

7 Principles for PRA

1.

Capture only what is important: avoid irrelevant data

2.
3. 4. 5.

Listen First: dont make assumptions about what communities need

Triangulate: use more than one source of data to cross-check Learning takes place in the field with the people, not in the office Innovate: dont follow a set-approach; explore new questions, themes and techniques as data is generated

6. 7.

Data & results is owned by the local people, not the researchers PRA is informal, interactive and fun!

Roles Played in PRA

WE (the facilitators): establish rapport (create a learning environment) convince, facilitate, encourage hand over the stick to the watch, listen, learn support THEY (the participants): Map, model, diagram Score, compare, rank, estimate Show, explain

Steps in PRA
1.

Define the objectives of the PRA

2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Site selection and clearance from local officials

Preliminary visit & socialize PRA Data collection Data analysis Ranking problems Formulate and rank opportunities Implementation Adoption of action plans

PRA Tools & Techniques

1.

Maps Models & Diagrams

Pictorial representations of data

2.

Time Related Data Analysis

Examines events, trends & activities over time

3.

Ranking & Scoring

A way in which various kinds of things can be compared according to different qualities people value

4.

Semi-structured interviews

Maps, Models & Diagrams

Community Map visual representation of what the community perceives as their space;
includes details of

importance to the community

Maps, Models & Diagrams

Transect Walk Describes variation across the community area
Community members walk

through a transect defined on the community sketch map

Discuss characteristics & issues

as they walk this line

Maps, Models & Diagrams

Mobility Diagram Maps accessibility to resources, goods, services Venn Diagram identify groups and institutions operating in the community and to show how they interact with each other

Time Related Data Analysis

Time Lines A list of key events in the history of the community
Trend Lines Residents perceptions of changes in the community over time (e.g. environmental, economic, social trends)

Time Related Data Analysis

Seasonal calendar Depicts regular cycles or patterns of activities within a community over 12 months
Gender daily calendar Depicts how daily activities are conducted along gender lines

Ranking & Scoring

Preference ranking, Pairwise ranking, Direct matrix

ranking, Direct matrix scoring

allow us to see priorities among different problems or

solutions; criteria scoring to define why people choose one item from the other

Proportional Piling helps to obtain data from respondents in percentages. It shows relative values of items to be compared. Useful for when no exact data exists and relative values must be used

Ranking & Scoring

Wealth Ranking
Used to understand relative

wealth within a community; indicates local criteria for well-being

Semi-structured interviews
Major topics and a few key questions are formulated

before the interview;

New questions & themes are explored during the

interview based on answers to the key questions

Can be conducted individually or in groups Questions & themes should be based on prior observation

by interviewers who have spent time in the community

Participatory Problem Analysis

Sub-groups in the community discuss what they enjoy

and what they struggle with in their community.

Groups come together to share key points / issues and

issues are ranked

Examine the historical context of the problem & what

solutions have previously been tried here or elsewhere

Begin identifying potential activities to address problems,

using ranking & scoring tools to select better options

Strengths of PRA
Local people do the analysis and plan for the future using their own

values, priorities & needs as the basis.

The different perspectives on daily reality & visualisation offer good

opportunities to explore beyond obvious and dominant points of view

The methodology is open to modification; everybody can develop new

tools and new ways of organising things

PRA can be used to collect data; local people are able to generate

and/or collect reliable data

Versatility: Appraising, designing, implementing, monitoring, and

evaluation programs and projects

Weaknesses of PRA
Working in situations in which the problem is not usefully

addressed at the local or group level e.g. broader structural problems at national level
PRA can be done badly. This happens where: PRA is implemented mechanically; going through the motions without really listening to the participants; Technical issues are prioritised over socio-cultural issues Local diversity is ignored, minority voices not heard PRA is conducted, but results are not used in the follow-up it becomes tokenistic consultation.