RRA and PRA methods within the context of Christian community development in the Philippines

1. RRA/PRA
Presented by Bob Munson
BUKAL Life Care & Counseling
Center

2. RRA/PRA
 RRAs and PRAs are two types of research
that fit loosely into category of
Ethnographic Research.
 They are used by people involved with
Community Development.

3. RRA
 “RRA” stands for “Rapid Rural
Assessment”.
 NOTE: RRAs do not have to be “rural”.
RRAs developed out of rural development
work.
 One can use the term RUA (rapid urban
assessment) or RA (rapid assessment) if
one prefers.

4. PRA
 “PRA” stands for “Participatory Rapid
Assessment”.
 The basic plan and goals are the same as
an RRA.
 The difference is that there is conscious
and intentional planning to develop the
assessment in partnership with leadership
within the community.

5. RRAs work very well in the
Philippines
 The barangay system sets up political
boundaries that help define communities.
 The same system also helps ensure that
data is available for quick access within
the community.
 The system makes it very clear who are
good gatekeepers and (at least) potential
good informants.

6. Entry Point
 Barangay Captain
 Or through another person who can
recommend you to the barangay captain.
 Church or civic leader (not generally the
best option)

7. HONESTY IS THE BEST
POLICY!!
 If you have hopes to help the community,
tell them this, and how.
 If you can’t help them… don’t pretend that
you can.
 You (in this class) have it easy. You are
students asked to do research for a class.
Most barangay leaders will respect this
and be of help.

8. Remember, the Barangay Captain
may be the Gatekeeper, but he/she
may not be the best informant.
 Some captains may be too busy to be very
helpful.
 Some are not articulate
 Some are not informed
 Some are too political
<But they are still useful to open doors to
better informants.>

9. 1. Socioeconomic Profile
Borrow from barangay if possible, copy it if
possible. Otherwise, take good notes
-Should be updated every 7 years
-Map of barangay
-Demographic (ages, religions,
population, organizations)
-Economic Info
-Health issues

10. 2. Semistructured interviews
 Barangay Captain
 Barangay Health Worker
 Kagawads
 Civic/Religious leaders
<Have questions already in mind… but be
open to change direction.>

11. 3. Unstructured and Informal
Interviews
 Talk to people “on the street”,
storekeepers, daycare worker, etc.
 Do not have to have a clear plan…
however, it is good to get a sense of the
attitude, fears, hopes, and felt needs of
the community.

12. 4. Walk-thru
 Maps are great, but a walk-thru of the
community is vital.
 Look for capacity (ability for community to
help itself).
 Look for problem areas (centers of vice,
for example).
 Look for health concerns.
 Be friendly, honest, and talkative (but
listen more than talk).

13. 5. Look at secondary sources
 Can go to Department of Health or other
offices at municipal/provincial centers for
additional info on the community.
 Consider internet resources and other
repositories of information that are
external to the community.

14. Focus
 Felt Needs (what they, right or wrong,
believe they need)
 Real Needs (don’t be too quick to label
which things are felt and which things are
real).
 Capacity. What internal qualities does the
community have to help itself.
 Threats. What are problems or dangers
that community faces (or perceives)

15. RRA Report
Put the collected data into a consolidated form:
1. Introduction
2. Summary of different sections
(demographics, topography, religion,
vices, felt needs, atbp) Use qualitative
and quantitative information.
3. Conclusions and Recommendations

16. PRA
A PRA gives essentially the same output.
However, a taskforce would be formed
between the outside organization and the
community to do research.
The results are often better, but it takes a
much higher commitment by the
community to partner in this sort of
assessment.
Report would be jointly published.