EXAMPLES OF
PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
1.
GROUP DISCUSSION: a small number of people come together for solving problems by
sharing experience, information, and insights
Uses: posing problems, identifying
causes, discussing possible solutions, evaluating actions
2.
PUBLIC MEETINGS: meeting generally open to all or a community
Uses: inform constituency on
research or action, provide opportunity for participation to all, obtain
constituency approval, support, or feedback
3.
RESEARCH TEAMS: small groups are tapped from the constituency to carry out defined
tasks in the research or action
Use: involve constituency in
the research or action
4.
OPEN-ENDED SURVEYS: interview using flexible
format for individual or group respondent
Use: obtain a picture of how a
large number of people feel or think about a problem (causes, possible
solutions, consequences to be expected)
5.
COMMUNITY SEMINARS: intensive study sessions held among members of a community/several
communities
Uses: discussing and analyzing
information obtained from a research in order to plan the next steps or
projects
6.
COLLECTIVE PRODUCTION OF AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS: members of a community or
group discuss, conceptualize one or more aspects of the problem they are
focusing on and there are two bi-products, the audio-visual material and their
collective view on their problems
7.
POPULAR THEATER: variation of 6
8.
FACT-FINDING TOURS/EXCHANGE VISITS: a group from one constituency may visit
other communities or groups who have been working on the same situation or
problems
Use: finding out what kinds of
obstacles or support are possible/finding out experiences or alternatives given
a problem
Very slightly modified handout of Dr. Rowena Boquiren
by Art Boquiren