Rowland and interested others,
I am enjoying the discussion about how to reach 'absent' populations,
and Robyn Henderson's story about being an 'insider' in the right place and
at the right time. In much of my research, which is predominantly
qualitative participatory learning and action research (PLA/PRA) I have
drawn on this basic principle : 'ask the local experts'. By local experts I
mean people 'on the ground' or at grassroots level who have deep reserves of
knowledge and expertise which often goes unacknowledged in the research
planning, process or encounter, because of long-established biases about who
is an expert.
Our approach is always to build rapport and trust with people
at the grassroots level, which is what Robyn describes. This rapport enables
us to do all kinds of sampling (network, snowball, convenience,
information-rich case-studies etc), and find all kinds of people to talk
with. Often with an introduction from a 'local' or a 'true insider' which
eases the whole process. This approach is well documented in the PLA/PRA
literature. Have a look at some of Robert Chambers work, or access PRA Notes
from the International Institute for Environment and Development, 3
Endsleigh Street, London, WC 1H 0DD, UK. They have archived all the 'PLA
Notes' issues, and one may be devoted to this or related issues. Their email
address is <[log in to unmask]>
When tracking 'missing' or displaced people, I would always ask/wonder who
might still be around who is/was closest to the absent population, or
members of? The absent population must have had lots of contacts and
connections while in place - what and where are these? What do they know
about ways to contact the absentees? Are there any 'ground-level'
communication systems actually happening that might not be obvious because
the queries have been directed towards experts operating 'above-ground', as
it were? There are many mapping exercises that can be used to access this
kind of information.
(Additional info sent to Rowland's own email address to save cluttering up
the list),
All the best,
Mary.
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Mary O'Reilly-de Brún
Manager: Millennium Project
National Women's Council of Ireland
51 Moyglare Abbey
Maynooth
Co.Kildare
IRELAND
Tel: (353) 1 6292033
Fax: (353) 1 6292130
email: [log in to unmask]
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