PRA/PLA Technique for Collection of Qualitative Information with development guide

This presentation provides an in-depth overview of PRA/PLA techniques, which are widely used participatory approaches in community-based research and development. It covers key principles, methodologies, and tools used to engage communities in data collection, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making and problem-solving. Ideal for researchers, students, and professionals in public health and social sciences, this presentation offers valuable insights into how PRA/PLA can enhance data quality and community ownership of research outcomes.

1. PRA/PLA Technique for Collection of Qualitative Information NABIN PARAJULI MPH 2 nd Sem Pokhara University 2/16/2025 1

2. Introduction Participatory = Means that people are involved in the process – a “ bottom-up” approach that requires good communication skills and attitude of project staff. Rural = The techniques can be used in any situation, urban or rural, with both literate and illiterate people. Appraisal = The finding out information about problems, needs, and potential in a village. It is he first stage in any project. 2/16/2025 2

3. Introduction Participatory Rural Appraisal was e merged in late 1980’s to overcome the limitation of RRA. “PRA is a growing family of approaches and methods to enable local people to share, enhance, and analyse their knowledge of life and conditions, to plan and to act.”- Robert Chamber (1994) E nable local people to share, analyse, and enhance their knowledge of life and conditions to plan and act accordingly. 2/16/2025 3

4. Contd.. It is based on the principal that local people are creative and capable and can do their own investigation, analysis and planning . The basic concept of PRA is to learn from rural people. 2/16/2025 4

5. Major Assumption 2/16/2025 5

6. Principles 2/16/2025 6

7. Characteristics of PRA People oriented , setting the priorities, exchange of problems transparently. Bottom to up approach , no special priority to local elites and researchers/ expert knowledge. Direct contact with local peoples. Data collection in rapid way Give importance to local knowledge, skills and environments. 2/16/2025 7

8. Difference of PRA/PLA Feature PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) PLA (Participatory Learning and Action) Origin Developed in the late 1980s as an improvement over Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA). Evolved in the 1990s as a more dynamic and action-oriented approach to PRA. Focus Primarily used for appraising or assessing community situations. Emphasizes learning and action , leading to long-term engagement and problem-solving . Purpose Helps researchers, planners, and development workers gather community knowledge for project planning. Aims to empower communities to take action and implement their own solutions . Approach Involves tools like social mapping, transect walks, and ranking exercises to collect qualitative data. Uses continuous cycles of learning, reflection, and action to ensure community-driven change. Participation Level Encourages participation but often driven by external facilitators . Promotes local ownership with communities leading the process. Outcome Primarily results in data collection for planning and decision-making. Results in concrete community actions and long-term change . 2/16/2025 8

9. Various methods/Tools of PRA/PLA A. Mapping and Modelling Social Mapping: Community members draw maps showing households, resources, and services, which help identify disparities. Resource Mapping: Identifies local natural and human resources. Transect Walk: A systematic walk through the community to observe and discuss key features. 2/16/2025 9

10. Contd.. B. Ranking and Scoring Preference Ranking: Community members rank problems, needs, or resources based on importance. Pairwise Ranking: Compares items in pairs to determine priorities. Matrix Ranking/Scoring: A table format where participants rank various options based on multiple criteria . Wealth ranking 2/16/2025 10

11. Contd.. C . Time-Related Analysis Seasonal Calendar: Helps communities identify seasonal variations in health issues, agriculture, employment, or diseases. Historical Timeline: Documents past events affecting the community, such as natural disasters, policy changes, or health crises. 2/16/2025 11

12. Contd.. D. Trend Analysis Helps understand long-term changes in community health, education, environment, and economy . E. Participatory Diagramming Venn Diagrams: Shows relationships between stakeholders, institutions, or key community actors. Flow Charts: Illustrates processes, such as decision-making or patient referral systems. 2/16/2025 12

13. Contd.. F. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) Facilitated discussions with specific groups to explore community perspectives on health, behaviour, and social issues. Used to gather insights into attitudes, cultural beliefs, and barriers to healthcare . G. Semi Structured Interviewing The interviews are informal and conversational but carefully controlled. 2/16/2025 13

14. Contd.. H. Folksongs, Poetry and Dance Local folksongs, poetry and dance are analysed to provide insights into values, history, practices and beliefs I. Key I nformant Interview Identifies appropriate groups and key informants are drawn from each groups and discussed various issues and experiences 2/16/2025 14

15. Process of developing PRA/PLA guide 1: Identifying Objectives & Scope Define the purpose : health assessment, resource mapping, problem identification, etc. Determine the focus areas: maternal health, nutrition, water sanitation, etc . 2: Community Engagement & Building Trust Identify key stakeholders (local leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives). Gain community trust through transparency and involvement. 2/16/2025 15

16. Contd.. 3: Selecting Appropriate Tools & Techniques Choose tools based on the objectives (e.g., mapping for resource identification, FGDs for social issues). Ensure tools are participatory and culturally appropriate . 4: Data Collection through Interactive Methods Facilitate discussions, ranking, interviewing and diagramming activities. Allow community members to express their views freely . 2/16/2025 16

17. Contd.. 5: Analysis & Validation by Community Members Organize findings and discuss them with the community for validation. Cross-check information using triangulation (multiple methods for accuracy ). 6 : Developing Action Plans Based on Findings Prioritize key issues identified. Develop realistic and community-driven action plans. Ensure local ownership of interventions for sustainability. 2/16/2025 17

18. Uses of PRA/PLA in Public Health Health Need Assessment Understanding barriers to health care access Behavioural and social research Developing community 2/16/2025 18

19. Difference of p articipatory Approach and Other Research Technique A participatory approach believes that development initiatives should come from community. It follows group approach of creating group approach. It aims at reinforcing the capabilities of local peoples rather on the technology transfer of traditional approach. 2/16/2025 19

20. PRA/PLA Application Effect of a participatory intervention with women's groups on birth outcomes in Nepal: cluster-randomised controlled trial. (Study in Makawanpur distric ) ( Manandhar et al., 2004) 2/16/2025 20

21. Strength of PRA It raise feeling of ownership of project in local peoples Data collection represents all segments of the community Extensive cross-checking mechanism increases reliability. PRA activities are Transparent which helps local people to understand the entire activities. Tools and techniques are user-friendly. Effective for micro-level planning. Helps to build a good relationship between local people and outsiders. 2/16/2025 21

22. Weakness PRA does not aim at collecting quantified data and is often criticised for this limitation. Many people involved in PRA process and this raise peoples expectation. Usefulness of PRA is seen in need identification, planning and implementation but its relevance in monitoring and evaluation stage is yet to see. 2/16/2025 22

23. Challenges PRA use has been generally limited to NGOs. PRA use has been largely limited to individuals and has not been significantly institutionalised. Limited use has delayed its improvement. Sharing of experiences is very limited, so there is a need to focus on networking. 2/16/2025 23

24. Bibliography Manandhar , D.S., Osrin , D., Shrestha , B.P., Mesko , N., Morrison, J., Tumbahangphe , K.M., Tamang , S., Thapa , S., Shrestha , D., Thapa , B., Shrestha , J.R., Wade, A., Borghi , J., Standing, H., Manandhar , M., Costello, A.M. de L., 2004. Effect of a participatory intervention with women’s groups on birth outcomes in Nepal: cluster- randomised controlled trial. The Lancet 364, 970–979. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17021-9 Resources kit for capability-building in participatory upland watershed planning, monitoring and evaluation.   Book= Mukherji , Neela P articipatory Rural Appraisal: Methodology and Application The origins and practice of participatory rural appraisal- world development vol 22 2/16/2025 24

25. " Local knowledge, collective action, sustainable solutions .“ Thank you 2/16/2025 25