Characteristics of good PRA

• Build rapport with men and women, rich and poor, young and old, and different ethnic groups and dalits.
• Be aware of potential suspicions and take action to dispel them.
• Be friendly, interested, culturally sensitive, relaxed and open.
• Listen, analyse and probe.
• Take advantage of local events and activities.
• Avoid people’s expectations being raised too early.
• Make your conversations a two-way exchange of information.
• Leave space in conversations for additional comments.
• Learn from peoples don’t lecture.
• Be patient but proceed at a moderate pace.
• Seek the views of the weaker, less powerful peoples or groups.
• Share information.
• Avoid placing peoples in situations in which they may feel uncomfortable.
• Give people time to communicate and consider ideas.
• Be self aware and self critical-learn from your errors.
• Cross-check the validity of information using at least three different sources.
• Frequently reflect on what information has been gained and where the gaps are.
• Identify and test assumptions.
• Be aware of your own biases-do not let them affect your work.
• Ask questions that invite explanations or points of view rather than yes or no answer.
• Schedule PRA activities so that they fit in as far as possible with seasonal and daily routines of local peoples.