Efficacy of participatory methods: a micro probe in a rural cluster
By: Narayanasamy, N.
Contributor(s): Baskar, B | Boraian, M.P.
Material type:
ArticlePublisher: 2001Description: p.273-97.Subject(s): Rural development
In:
Journal of Rural DevelopmentSummary: Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) has emerged as a development research methodology mainly to position the partners of rural development in the right perspective and iron out the inherent problems found in conventional methods of research like survey. Lured by its lucrative features like simplicity, multi-disciplinary approach, visual way of data collection and analysis, people-centered participatory learning, and knowledge-based local action, many have started using PRA in their sphere of profession. Practised initially in the field of agriculture, PRA has eventually pervaded to a wide spectrum of development arenas in various parts of the world. The quick spread of PRA drew sharp criticism on the efficacy of its methods which, by and large, centre around accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness of the data collected through PRA. The type, extent and quality of participation of people in PRA exercises have also been questioned. The authors in this paper have made an attempt to ascertain the efficacy of participatory method with reference to accuracy, rapidity, cost-effectiveness and participation. They have compared the data obtained through social mapping (PRA method) with data collected through survey method in three different villages. The authors have concluded that PRA took less time to gather, analyse and report the data; cost is also less under PRA method; the data collected through PRA are as accurate as collected under survey method. Participation of people in PRA is quite high and vibrant. - Reproduced
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Vol info | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Articles
|
Indian Institute of Public Administration | Volume no: 20, Issue no: 2 | Available | AR49788 |
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) has emerged as a development research methodology mainly to position the partners of rural development in the right perspective and iron out the inherent problems found in conventional methods of research like survey. Lured by its lucrative features like simplicity, multi-disciplinary approach, visual way of data collection and analysis, people-centered participatory learning, and knowledge-based local action, many have started using PRA in their sphere of profession. Practised initially in the field of agriculture, PRA has eventually pervaded to a wide spectrum of development arenas in various parts of the world. The quick spread of PRA drew sharp criticism on the efficacy of its methods which, by and large, centre around accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness of the data collected through PRA. The type, extent and quality of participation of people in PRA exercises have also been questioned. The authors in this paper have made an attempt to ascertain the efficacy of participatory method with reference to accuracy, rapidity, cost-effectiveness and participation. They have compared the data obtained through social mapping (PRA method) with data collected through survey method in three different villages. The authors have concluded that PRA took less time to gather, analyse and report the data; cost is also less under PRA method; the data collected through PRA are as accurate as collected under survey method. Participation of people in PRA is quite high and vibrant. - Reproduced
There are no comments for this item.