a family of approaches and methods to enable rural people to share, to enhance and analyze their knowledge of life and conditions, to plan and to act.
A qualitative method for involving communities (specially rural ones in developing countries) in their own futures. Not so much a single technique, as an approach to research. Sometimes called Participatory Learning and Action or PLA, but as it needn't be rural or involve appraisal, a better expression is "Participation, Reflection, Action". A shorter version is RRA.
A method of involving rural communities in describing and measuring their own understanding and knowledge of development.
Also known as Rapid Rural Appraisal, PRA is a relatively new and different approach for conducting action-oriented research in developing countries. PRAs are used to help involve villagers and local official's leaders in all stages of development work, from the identification of needs and decision making to the assessment of completed projects. The term can be used to describe any new methodology which makes use of a multidisciplinary team.
PRA has been defined as "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." As well as a general stress on participatory process, PRA is also known for several innovative, generally visual methods by which farmers and others can be encouraged to share information about themselves and their environment. ( go to this page)
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.
