Rapid Appraisal Methods

230 Pages·2001·13.03 MB·English

by  World Bank Group

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PuPu KRISHNAK UMAR ;
Rapid
Appraisal
Methods
WORLDB ANK
REGIONALA ND
SECTORASL TUDIES
Rapid
Appraisal
Methods
EDITEBDY
KRISHNKAU MAR
The World Bank
:-Wsigbton, D.C.
O 1993 The International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development/ The World Bank
1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the TiTnitcdS ttes of America
Frst printing August 1993
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Coverd esgn by Sam FPmo
library u/Congr Catalogin.g-in-Publicafion Data
:Rapida ppraisal metiods / editcedby Krishna Kumar.
p. cm. - (World Bank rcgional and sectoral studies)
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-8213-2523-X
1. Economic development projects-Evaluation. I. Kmar, Ksishna.
II. Series.
HD75.9.R36 1993-
338.9'0068'4-dc2O 93-21584
CIP
Contents
Foreword xi
Acknowledgments xlii
Introduction I
r.
Dennis Casley
1. An Overview of Rapid Appraisal Methods
in Development Settings 8
Krishna Kumar
Methodological Paradigm 10
Formal and Ihformal Modes of Data Collection 11
Core Rapid Appraisal Methods 13
Limitations of Rapid Appraisal 16
Rationale for Using Rapid Appraisal 18
Appropriate Role for Rapid Appraisal 20
2. Monitoring a Large-Scale Resettlement Program
with Repeated Household Interviews 23
Thayer Scudder
Country and Program Setting 25
Methodology 28
Data Collection 35
Analysis 40
Problems Arising from Methodology 41
Fmdings and Recommendations 43
Utility of the Methodology for Other Uses 46
References 48
Appendix: Annual Evaluation of the SettIement Component
of the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme 50
v
vi Contents
3. Use of Group Interviews in Evaluating an Area
Development Project 56
M Krishna Kumar
Research Methodology8
Planning of Group interviews 59
Conducting Group Interies61
Major Findings and Conclusions 65
Lessons in Conducting Group Inteviews 68
4. A Commodity Systems Assessment Methodology Workshop:
ImnprovingA gricultural Production and Marketing 72
R.J. Haggerty and I.E Armstrong
Country and Progra'm Setting 73
Research Design and Rationale 74
Nepal CSAM Ginger Workshop: Planning and Questionnaire
P'reparation 78
Workshop Implementation and Problems Encountered 80
Findings 86
Accomplishments 87
Suggestions for Potential Users of this Methodology 88
References 9
Appendix: Block Descriptions 92
5. Using Focus Groups to Develop and Promote an
Improved Weaning Food Product 94
Cecilia Cabaiiero-VerzosaC, ecileM . Johnston, and Olabode. Kayode
Prc4ect Overview 95
Focus Group Planning 98
Methodolcgy 100
Analysis of Results 103
Findings 107
Notes1
6. Rapid Appraisal Methods in a Diagnostic Assessment
of Vegetable Seed Marketing 112
John S. Hotvtman
Background: PA in Agricultural Marketing Research 113
Purpose and Scope of Marketing RA Exercise 113
contents vii
Description of Field-Based RA Methods 115
Problems and Possibilities for Improvenent 125
Key Findings and Resulting Measures 127
Suggestions for Users of RA in Agricultural
Marketing Research 128
Conclusion 133
References 134
Notes 135
7. Systematic Observation in the Analysis of Primary
Health Care Services 136
Stewart N. Blumenfed, Manuel Roxas, and Mauicord e los Santos
Systems Analysis Approach to Problern Identification
in Service Programs 137
The PRICOR Project 139
The Philippines Country Study 141
Results 152
Direct Observation Summary of Lessons Learned 155
Notes 155
8. Using Urban Commercial Counts and Marketplace Censuses
to Appraise Agricultural Development Projects 157
G-ordonA ppleby
Country and Program Settings 159
Project Results 160
Desciption of Methodology and Rationale 161
Data Collection and Analysis Activities 163
Findings and Conclusions 166
Guidelines and Suggestions 172
References 173
Notes 173
9. Participatory Rural Appraisal: A Case Study from Kenya 176
Charity Kabutha, BarbaraP . Thomas-Slayter,a nd Richard Ford
Site Selectiot 179
Data Collection 180
Data Synthesis and Analysis 180
Ranking Problems 180
Ranking Opportunities 181
Adopting a Village Resource Management Plan (VRMP9 182
vii'i Contents
Implementation 182
Findings and Conclusions 184
Costs 187
PRA in Per-spective 188
References 188
Appendix: Information Gathered 190
SelectedB ibliography 212
Contributors 214
Boxes
Box 3.1 Excerpts from the Interview Guide for Dowa West
Farmers' Club Members 60
Box 3.2 Encouraging Women to Participate in
Group Interviews 64
Box 4.1 Sample CSAM Questionnaire for
Marketing Ginger, Rapti Region 81
Box 5.1 TIheU se of Focus Groups in Developing the
Product and the Communications Effort 99
Box 5.2 Focus Group Screening Guide 102
Box 5.3 Focus Group Discussion Guide for Mothers:
Pre-In-Home Product Test 104
Box 5.4 Focus Group Report Guide: Mothers' Groups 108
Box 6.1 Informal Inte-rview Guidelines: Vegetable
Seed Traders 117
Box 6.2 Informal Interview Guidelines: Vegetable
Seed Producer-s 120
Box 7.1 Sample Pages from the PRICOR Thesaurus 142
B3ox7 .2 DOH/PRICOR Systems Analysis 145
Box 7.3 DOH/PRICOR Systems Analysis 146
Box 7.4 DOH.PRICOR Systems Analysis 149
Box A9.1 Information about the Vilage Sketch Map 190
Box A9.2 Vilage Traansect 192
Box A9.3 Information about the Farm S-ketch 195
Box A9A Information about the Time Line 197
Box A9.5 Informnation about Trend Lines 200
Box A9.6 Infornation about the Seasonal Calendar 203
Box A9.7 Information about Farm Interviews 205
Box A9.8 Information about Vllage Institutions2
Box A9.9 Information about the Tetnical Survey 210
contents ix
Figures
Figure 2.1 Accelerated Mahaweli Program 27
Figure 4.1 Principal Components for a Commnodity
Systems Assessment 76
Figure 6.1 Schematic Overview of Rapid Appraisal and
Applied Research Linkages 115
Figure 7.1 Oral Rehydration Therapy Service
Delivery Model 138
Figure 9.1 Village Resources Management Plan (extract) 183
Figure A9.1 Village Sketch Map 191
Figure A9.2 Composite Transect 194
Figure A9.3 Far-m Sketch 196
Figure A9.4 Time Line 199
Figure A9.5 Trend Lines 202
Figure A9.6 Seasonal Calendar 204
Figure A9.7 Farm Interview (excerpt) 206
Figure A9.8 Institutional Diagrams 209
Figure A9.9 Technical Survey 211
Tables
Table 21. Accelerated Mahaweli Programm7e
Household Sample 30
Table 2.2. Wealth Index 34
Table 2.3 Household xpenditures for Basic Needs,
1988-89 35
Table 2.4 Loans to Mahaweli Settlers and
Repayment Rates 40
Table 3.1 Cumulative Numbers and Membership of
Farmers' Clubs, Dowa West Area, 1981-84 58
Table 5.1 Composition and Location of the Focus Groups 101
Table 8.1 Counts of Commercial Shops and Transport
in the PNS Area, by Level of Center, 1987 167
Table 5.2 Counts of Other Retail and Service
Establishments in the PNS Area,
by Level of Center, 1987 167
Table 8.3 Vendor Counts, by Commodity Array,
in Marketplaces of PNS Area, by Level of
Market, January 1987 168
Foreword
SOC:sIeAdL RESEARCH METHODS, though powerful, are not often
to meet thie pressing informiation needs of decision-makers in develop-
mnent.T his has sparked a growing interest in an arry of less structured
data collection methods called 'rapid appraisal," which aim to supply
needed information in a timely and cost-effective manner.
This volume outlines five rapid data collection methods-key infor-
mant interviews, focus group discussions, group interviews, structured
observation, and infonnal surveys-that have been used by the expo-
nents of rapid appraisal. Eight case studies illuminate the use of thao
methods in development settings, particularly for the appraisal arid
evaluation of development projects and programs.
The authors take a reflective, if not critical, look at the data collection
; :~~~~~~~~~~~~x
enterprise and draw practical lessons for the development commnunity.
'They desaibe the nature and types of data generated and the problems,
encountered with each method. They also discuss the strengths, limita-
tions, and applicability of the methods in different settings.
The implicit message of the case studies is that formal social science
research and rapid appraisal are complementary. For example, rapid
appraisal methods have often been used to design complex socioeco-
noiruc surveys as well as to interpret their findings and conclusions. In
manty instances, both methods are used sequentially. In situationts
where a choice is made, it is dictated by such factors as the nature,
purpose, -and ultimate use of the information; available technical and
monetary resources; and time constraints.
For the development community, this may turn out to be an indis-
pensable guide to monitoring and evaluating development projects.
Robert Picciatto
Director Gener-al
Operations Evaluation
Department
The World Bank
June 1993