Analysis of different techniques in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

PRA is intended to enable local communities to conduct their own analysis and to plan and take action. PRA involves project staff learning together with villagers about the village. The aim of PRA is to help strengthen the capacity of villagers to plan, make decisions, and to take action towards improving their own situation. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is considered one of the popular and effective approaches to gather information in rural areas. This approach was developed in early 1990s with considerable shift in paradigm from top-down to bottom-up approach, and from blueprint to the learning process. In fact, it is a shift from extractive survey questionnaires to experience sharing by local people. PRA is based on village experiences where communities effectively manage their natural resources. [Mohammad Abedi and Sharareh Khodamoradi. Analysis of different techniques in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Life Science Journal. 2011;8(2):147-157] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.