Participatory Research and Development

This course stems from the emergence of participatory approaches especially Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) pioneered by Robert Chambers in the 1990s. This course will cover the theory behind participatory research and action methodologies used by both academics and development professionals, as well as focus on practical tools to conduct research and evaluations that, through the research process itself, empower communities and local people. Participants will examine the ethics of research in marginalized communities and also learn appropriate tools to conduct baseline studies, academic research, and monitoring and evaluation reports.

This course provides tools that enable participants to learn with, instead of about, communities and work more equitably with project partners. Case studies, video, and readings will be used to understand participatory research methodologies. All required reading materials for the course are available online.

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Compare different participatory research and action approaches
• Understand the basic principles that underlie ethical research
• Incorporate participatory learning methodologies into community development activities
• Design a participatory research project for your community or project area

Testimonials from Past Course Participants for Participatory Research and Development:

“Before I took this class, I had heard a lot about participatory methods and seen the staggering contrast between projects that took this approach and ones that were more unilateral, but I had yet to get a feel for what participatory methods really looked like. Through this class, I feel that I have gained a substantial understanding of the methods, their history, the pioneers who helped bring them to the world, and most importantly the empowerment that can come with their use.”

“What I really learned from this class was about how important it is to listen, to observe, and to guide when asked. All too often I have fallen victim to my own ego in jumping into something without realizing that there other players on the field. When it comes to development, it is critical that the developer/facilitator learn from those who are asking for assistance.”