Rapid assessment process : an introduction / James Beebe.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Beebe, James.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Evaluation research (Social action programs).

Social sciences--Methodology.

Social sciences.

Physical Description:

xx, 199 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Walnut Creek, CA : AltaMira Press, [2001]

Contents:

Chapter 1 To RAP or Not to RAP (and the Basic Concepts) 1

Example 1 Student Services at a Community College 2

Example 2 Village in the Western Sudan 4

The Need for the Insider's Perspective 5

Rapid Assessment Process and Intensive Team Interaction 6

Relationship of the Basic Concepts to Research Techniques 7

Conditions Where RAP Is Especially Appropriate 8

Using RAP for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Midcourse Corrections 10

When Survey Research Is Not the Best Option 11

The Need for Caution about the Use of RAP 14

Chapter 2 Data Collection: Triangulation and Getting the Insider's Perspective 17

Triangulation 18

Triangulation and the Insider's Perspective 18

Triangulation and RAP 22

Illustrative Research Techniques Associated with Triangulation 24

Team Membership 24

Team Interviewing 26

Team Observing 27

Team Collection of Information 27

Data Collection to Get the Insider's Perspective 28

Qualitative Research 29

Ethnography 30

Culture 32

Emic and Etic 33

Indigenous Knowledge 34

Variability 35

Illustrative Research Techniques Associated with Ethnography 35

Semistructured Interviews 35

Use of Short Guidelines 40

Use of a Tape Recorder 41

Use of Interpreters 43

Selection of Respondents 45

Individuals and Focus Groups 46

Structured Interviews 47

Comparing and Sorting Objects 48

Participant Observation 48

Unobtrusive Observations 49

Folktales and Other Verbal Lore 50

Systems, Soft Systems, and Rich Pictures 50

Mapping 52

Field Notes and Logs 54

Chapter 3 Iterative Analysis and Additional Data Collection 59

Iteration 60

An Example 60

Iteration and Ethnography 60

Iteration and RAP 61

Techniques Associated with Iterative Analysis and Additional Data Collection 62

Structuring the Research Time 62

Checking Back with Informants 63

RAP Report Preparation by the Team 64

Data Analysis 65

Techniques for Data Analysis 66

Coding and Margin Remarks 66

Data Display 68

Conclusion Drawing and Verification 69

How Much Data is Needed? 73

Checking Back with Informants 73

Chapter 4 Teamwork: Polish State Farms and the Community College 75

Introduction to the RAPs which Provide the Examples of Teamwork 76

The Example of the Polish State Farms RAP 76

The Example of the Community College RAP 78

The Tradition of Teamwork 80

Teamwork and Data Collection 81

Teamwork and Data Analysis 85

Outsiders and Insiders In-Between 89

Team Leadership 94

Teamwork and the Success of a RAP 96

Chapter 5 Trusting RAP 99

Trust and RAP 100

RAP, the Insider's Perspective, and Time in the Field 100

RAP and Support for Long-Term Fieldwork 104

Concerns about RAP 105

Too Little or Too Much Time 105

Cultural Appropriateness 106

Political and Economic Context 107

Problems with Team Composition 107

Problems with Choice of Respondents and Informants 108

Inappropriate Use 108

Problems with Credibility 108

Dealing with Flexibility 110

Sample RAP Sheet 111

Bad RAP and Good RAP 111

Chapter 6 Successful RAP 115

Integrating Intensive Teamwork and Maintaining Flexibility 115

Before Beginning to RAP 117

Attitude 117

Materials Collected in Advance 118

Local Team Members 118

Orientation 119

Logistics

Keeping RAP from Becoming SAP 119

Schedule Flexibility 121

While Collecting Data 122

Interview Notes in Addition to Recording 122

The Twenty-Four-Hour Rule 123

Changing the Role of Individual Team Members 123

Follow-up Interviews with the Same Person 123

Spending Time at the Site 124

While Analyzing Data 124

Data Displays 124

Presentation as a Way of Checking Back with Informants 124

Completion of the Draft Report 125

Time off 126

Improving RAP Skills 126

Learning from Experience 126

Including Process as Well as Content in the Report 126

Sharing Lessons about the Methodology 127

Sharing RAP Reports 127

Chapter 7 Who Benefits, Who Pays, and Who Calls the Tune 129

Unequal Power and Constraints on Independence 130

Promising More Than Can Be Delivered 132

Who Benefits? 134

The RAP Team 134

The Sponsors 135

The Academic Community 135

The Local Stakeholders 136

Possible Costs to Local Stakeholders 136

Propriety and Informed Consent 137

Value of Time 137

Betrayal 137

Bogus Empowerment 140

General Ethical Concerns 142

Chapter 8 The RAP Family Tree 145

Farming Systems Research and Rapid Research 146

RAP and Rapid Appraisal/Rapid Assessment 146

RAP and Participatory Appraisal 146

RAP and Participatory Poverty Assessments 147

RAP and Appreciative Inquiry 148

Other Rapid Research Methods 149

Rapid Guided Survey, Cultural Scenes, and Micro-Ethnography 150

Quick Ethnography 150

Rapid Ethnography as an Alternative Label for RAP 151

Rapid Research Methods in Different Fields 151

The Future of RAP and Concluding Comments 154.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 175-189) and indexes.

ISBN:

075910011X

0759100128

OCLC:

45871052