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Section 4 Techniques and Tools

4.19 Participatory Appraisal

Participatory Appraisal (PA) is a family of approaches and methods that enable people to present, share and analyse their knowledge and to allow them to plan and take action from their findings. The basis of the approach is that the experience of local people, their views and priorities should be the starting point for any local planning and action. Many PA methods are visual and create different options for the degree of participation that people wish to engage in. PA approaches can be used in meetings, with groups or individuals.

Common features of PA are:

• use of visual methods – using diagrams and pictures to aid analysis and discussion;

• deliberate promotion of discussion;

• mapping exercises – including community maps, body (or personal) maps which visually represent a theme in a persons’ life;

• comparisons – discussion of contrast and commonality, seeking diversity;

• charting change over time - for example, charting timelines;

• seeking linkages and relationships – using tools that help analyse cause and effect, the impact of actions and the relationships between people, institutions and actions; and

• agreeing priorities – ranking and scoring exercises.

PA methods can be easily adapted to suit the needs of the particular situation or target group with which they are used.

As with all research and consultation methods, PA can be used simply as an effective way to gather data, particularly from excluded and hard to reach groups. However, the great value of PA is as an approach to encouraging participation and for making research and consultation as inclusive as possible(1).

Participatory Appraisal: checklist

√ Consider whether the topic lends itself well to a PA approach. Too prescriptive a focus may limit the value of the approach.

√ Be clear about expectations of what the process can achieve.

√ Be prepared to be challenged as an organisation.

√ Ensure that every effort is made to provide full opportunities for participation for all sections of the community or group which is the focus of the research.

√ Use a range of PA methods, appropriately adapted for different groups. Take some risks with more creative approaches.

√ Don’t rush the process; ensure there is sufficient time and resources to maximise full and active engagement in the issues.

√ Recruit a facilitator or advisor to ensure the fullest participation and keep the process to the timetable.

√ Don’t push for consensus to be reached and make sure the full diversity of perspectives is able to be aired.

√ Consider how best to present the conclusions and the scope for active dissemination by the participants.

√ Involve participants in the development and monitoring of action plans based on PA processes.

Alternative and related approaches

• Participatory techniques

• Photovoice

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(1) Have you been PA’d? Using Participatory Appraisal to shape local services, Oxfam, June 2003 available at: www.oxfamgb.org/ukpp; Pretty, J. N et al Participatory Learning and Action, A Trainers Guide, IIED, 1995

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