What is participatory rural appraisal in research?

Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques (PRAs) are a range of survey methods to be used principally in the extraction of qualitative data. PRA entails groups of local people analysing their own conditions and choosing their own means of improving them.

What is participatory rural appraisal PRA techniques?

Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is an approach used by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other agencies involved in international development. The approach aims to incorporate the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programmes.

What is participatory rural appraisal or assessment?

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is a methodology used for interactive processes of social development: It is a way of learning from people, with the people and by the people. It is, therefore, a methodology for analyses, planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Why is PRA important?

PRA is being extensively used in natural resources management, agriculture, health and nutrition, poverty and livelihood programmes and urban contexts. The philosophy behind PRA is that community members are the best experts of their own situations. PRA is an easy method to collect information about a community.

What are the advantages of participatory rural appraisal?

Following are some of the advantages of PRA which makes it important for a programme.

  • Target group’s real priorities are identified.
  • Delegation of responsibilities.
  • Motivation of local development workers.
  • Use of local resources.
  • Sustainable developmental activities.
  • Brings desirable behavioural changes.

What are the objectives of participatory rural appraisal?

The aim of PRA is to help strengthen the capacity of villagers to plan, make decisions, and to take action towards improving their own situation. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is considered one of the popular and effective approaches to gather information in rural areas.

What is the difference between rapid rural appraisal and participatory rural appraisal?

The major difference is that PRA emphasizes processes that empower local people, whereas RRA is mainly seen as a means for outsiders to gather information. The outsiders act mainly as supporting facilitators, while the local people own and use the results of the study.

What is PRA process?

PRA is an assessment and learning process that empowers practitioners / people to create the information base they need for participatory planning and action. The approach aims to incorporate the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programmes.

What are the principles of PRA?

PRA: Key Principles

  • Participation: Local people serve as partners in data collection and analysis.
  • Flexibility: Not a standardized methodology, depends on purpose, resources, skill, time.
  • Teamwork: Outsiders and insiders, men and women, mix of disciplines.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of rapid rural appraisal?

The main advantages of RRA are its holistic approach, short duration, flexibility, and low cost. Limitations are the lack of precise or comprehensive data, and the potential for misunderstanding sensitive and complex community issues.

What are the tools of participatory rural appraisal?

Other tools common in PRA are:

  • Diagramming. a. Transect Walk.
  • Interviewing. a. Structured.
  • Preference ranking. Ranking of problems, issues, solutions on the basis of needs or personal preference. a.
  • Mapping and Modeling. The making of maps that depicts conditions and environment of the area is called mapping.

What are the tools and techniques of participatory rural appraisal?

The training programme on PRA is designed to develop participant’s understanding of the rural reality for the planning and development of projects through PRA tools cum techniques including semi- structured interviews, time-lines, transect walks participatory mapping, seasonal calendars, wealth ranking and matrix …

What does participatory rural appraisal ( PRA ) stand for?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia PRA ranking exercise being carried out by members of a Farmer Field School in Bangladesh, 2004 Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is an approach used by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other agencies involved in international development.

What is the role of the outsider in participatory rural appraisal?

The role of the outsider is that of a catalyst, a facilitator of processes within a community that is prepared to alter their situation. Participatory Rural Appraisal was first developed in India and Kenya during the 1980s; it has been mainly used by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on the grass-root level.

What is the function of participatory research in PRA?

Origins. Chambers explained the function of participatory research in PRA as follows: The central thrusts of the [new] paradigm … are decentralization and empowerment. Decentralization means that resources and discretion are devolved, turning back the inward and upward flows of resources and people.

Is there a systematic evidence-based methodology for rural appraisal?

Over the years techniques and tools have been described in a variety of books and newsletters, or taught at training courses. However, the field has been criticized for lacking a systematic evidence-based methodology.