Participatory Research

Approach and Gender Analysis

PH 101
2nd sem 2014-15

What is PRAGEN?
These are evolving methods that continue to build
on the experiences of communities and
development workers
Puts emphasis on group discussions and on
illustration, mapping, diagramming and modeling
by community members themselves.
Manner of data collection is through discussions
with the community and direct observations are
used instead of formal questioning

Why do a PRAGEN?
It aims to encourage consciousness of
community problems and develop
competence to change their situation
It enhances the knowledge of both the
outside researcher and the community on
the realities before them
Results are then used by the community as
basis for their community development plan

1. Gender Resource Mapping

Identify available local capacities and
resources people rely on everyday of their lives;
Identify resources accessible and owned by
community, or individuals
Identify which resources are generally used by
the men and women in the community

Guidelines for the facilitator:

1.The facilitator requests some participants to
make a base map of the barangay.
2. Using different colors of pens, each
participant identifies the different resources
(natural, physical,cultural, etc) which can be
found in the area.
3. The male and female symbols are then placed
on the resources which are predominantly
used by either male or female.
4.The map is done until everyone is satisfied
with the final output.

2. Disaster History
To get insight in past hazards, changes in their
nature, intensity and behavior;
Understand present situation in community
(causal
link
between
hazards
and
vulnerabilities); To make people aware of
changes over time.

Disaster History

Reminder:
Damage can be on people, livelihoods,
properties, infrastructure and natural
environment

Some basic concepts

Hazard (Kadelikadohan) a phenomenon, event,
occurrence or human activity that may cause
injury, loss of lives and damage to property and
the environment
Disaster (kalamidad)- a serious disruption of the
functioning of a community or society causing
widespread human, material, economic or
environmental losses which exceed the ability of
the affected community to cope using its own
resources

3. Seasonal Calendar
Identify periods of stress, hazards, diseases,
hunger, debt, vulnerability, etc.;
Identify what people do in these periods, how
they diversify sources of livelihood; when do
they have savings;
when do they have time for community
activities, what are their coping strategies;
Identify gender specific division of work, in times
of disasters and in normal times

Seasonal Calendar
This tool will provide a visual representation of the
various livelihoods/crops that people engage in
during the different seasons of the year.
It will provide important info on the various phases
of the production cycle of the different crops
Lean and abundant months are identified to
enable the community to prepare for the lean
months when food and basic needs are hard to
come by

Seasonal Calendar

Guidelines for the facilitator:

1.The facilitator asks the participants about the crops they
produce/ or fish they catch on what months of the year.
2.The different stages in the production cycle of specific
crops are provided in detail and which the a facilitator or
another participant notes down on the matrix.
3.The exercise is done until everyone who engage in the
different livelihood activities have contributed to the
discussion.
4.Open a discussion on the contents of the matrix for
further validation then prepare the final calendar with all the
information provided by the participants.

4. Problem Tree
The problem tree is done to generate a visual
representation of how the various problems and issues in
the community are interconnected and interlinked with each
other and that no issue is entirely separate or exclusive.
The issues could either be the cause or effect of another
issue such that the root issue is identified by the community
members themselves.
This can be a very useful tool for awareness building
particularly on the issues prevailing in the community.

Guidelines for the facilitator:

1.Each participant is given a chance to think of a
community issue and to write this issue on any part of the
tree depending on how they perceive this issue to be: it can
be placed on the roots, the trunk branches or on the
leaves.
2. After everyone has written an issue on the tree, the
facilitator throws questions that will help the
participants see the connections of the various issues

hanging on the tree.

3. The participants will ultimately determine for themselves
the roots of all the problems that may be made as
basis for planning.

5. Objective Tree
The result of the Problem Tree can be used as the
basis in coming up with the Objective Tree.
This also needs to be done in a participatory manner
in order for the community to have a genuine stake in
determining their priorities and plans for the
improvement of their own lives.
It would be difficult to focus on many objectives all at
the same time but the participants have to identify the
objective that they wish to accomplish within their
capacities and within a specific period of time.

Guidelines for the facilitator:

1.Each participant is given a chance to think of a possible objective to a
specific problem that has been prioritized by the group. He/she then
writes this objective on any part of the tree depending on how they
perceive this objective to be: it can be placed on the roots, the trunk,
branches or on the leaves.
2.After everyone has placed an objective on the tree, the facilitator
throws questions that will help the participants see the connections of
the various objectives hanging on the tree.
3.They will ultimately decide the primary objective that they will work for
as a community. Objectives should be achievable in order to further
encourage the commitment of the community to work together.

Roles and functions:

Facilitator- ensures that everyone participates and
contributes in the discussion; traffics the
discussion so that each one is given the chance
to speak and be heard.
Documentor- notes down the important points that
are taken up
Process Observer- in charge with watching the
field behavior of the team and makes sure that
everyone behaves accordingly.

Salamat !

Salamat!