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Editor: Angela Milligan

Ordering information

Summary

This general issue of PLA Notes includes a broad range of papers on the use of participatory research in many different contexts. From resource management plans in Gabon to the use of participation to ensure support for orphaned children in Lesotho.

Also included in this issue are articles on 'parti-numbers' - detailing improvements and developments in the participation field, documenting new methods of collecting data, allowing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and how communities can be empowered to collect information themselves without the need for outside intervention. There are also Tips for Trainers, and our usual In Touch section, which includes book reviews, events, and e-participation.

Editorial

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1. Participation and numbers

Robert Chalmers

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Abstract

In many instances the information generated by participatory research is derived for and used by an outside researcher. Using numerous examples, the author introduces a second concept of participation, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, whereby data and information is generated and used by local people.

2. Participatory quantification in the water and sanitation sector

Leonie Postma, Christine van Wijk and Corine Otte

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Abstract

Introducing the Methodology for Participation Assessment (MPA), a form of participatory research that builds on other methods by collecting quantitative information, rather than qualitative, which allows for statistical analysis and comparisons between separate data sets. Using an international sanitation project as an example, this paper explores the benefits of this methodology.

3. Are we targeting the poor? Lessons from Malawi

Sarah Levy

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Abstract

Poverty is often measured in terms of simple monetary values, with below $1/day often cited as the critical value. But is this too simplistic? In this paper the author assesses more qualitative methods of measuring poverty, using a case study in Malawi as an example, where food security and community mapping schemes were also used as factors to measure poverty.

4. Developing coding systems to analyse difference

Vicky Johnson and Robert Nurick

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Abstract

In an effort to increase public involvement in Government programmes to improve disadvantaged areas a Community Assessment and Action (CAA) programme was implemented. One of the key features of the CAA methodology is the use of coding systems, and this paper details the development and use of coding in community development schemes around the UK.

5. Adapting PRA to protected area management in Central Africa

Sonia Blaney and Marc Thibault

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Abstract

Creating management plans for protected areas has to strike a balance between conservation aims and allowing access to natural resources. In this paper Participatory Rural Appraisals were used to establish 'buffer zones' around villages situated within a protected area in Gabon, that allow access to areas that have been traditional used by communities.

6. The trouble with PRA: reflections on dilemmas of quality

Andrea Cornwall and Garett Pratt

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Abstract

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) has quickly become an important and influential tool in development project planning, and is used by many of the big development agencies. The authors reflect on this rapid uptake, and critically assess whether this is positive for the quality of research.

7. Fisheries co-management at Lake Victoria: starting up a participatory monitoring process

SEDAWOG Team

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Abstract

Trying to develop a co-management plan for fisheries on Lake Victoria, it was decided that involvement of local communities was key for long-term stability, and that existing institutions within these communities would help with management. This paper looks at the projects involvement in four communities around the lake, and how they helped shape the management plan.

8. Community-based support for orphaned children in rural Lesotho

Kenneth Storen, Nthabeleng Lephoto and Colleen Dunst

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Abstract

Without consulting either the children or their communities, many development projects designed to help orphans often fail to provide long-term support and even in some cases cause severe detrimental effects. This paper assesses a more participatory approach to providing support to orphans in rural Lesotho, and the successes and challenges it faced.

9. Targetting the extreme poor: field experience from Dimla, Bangladesh

Dipankar Datta and Iqbal Hossain

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Abstract

In this paper the authors consider the development of community-based organisations as promoted by Concern's programme of Integrated Rural Development Projects (IRDP) in Bangladesh. Working with the extreme poor in the most rural areas, Concern used participation to establish pro-poor strategies to ensure previous failures were not repeated.

10. Participatory evaluation with pastoralists in Sudan

Almotalib Ibrahim, Sara Pantuliano, John Plastow, Wolfgang Bayer, and Ann Waters-Bayer

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Abstract

Using participation to empower pastoralists to determine their own development objectives, this paper outlines the extension of the Red Sea Hills Programme in Sudan to encompass a larger geographic area and to cover more facets of the pastoralists livelihoods, to include infrastructure improvements, welfare provision and resource management.

11. Participatory tools for the evaluation of training interventions

Rajiv S. Saxena and Subir K. Pradhan

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Abstract

As part of a project to generate employment, encourage better resource management and access to markets, the authors used an array of participatory methods to identify areas where training was required, to determine farmers perceptions of different training methods and to help participants to recognise their strengths.

Tips for Trainers

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Abstract

Encouraging the use of Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) in China has not been entirely successful, partly due to the fact that Chinese organisations are not accustomed to applying a bottom-up approach. This Tips for Trainers outlines how PRA can be applied in China, but also questions that should be considered when carrying out PRA in any environment.

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