Young, R.

An exploratory study in Parbhani, a rural community of the western dryland region of India, assessed community nutrition problems using RRA to assess the broad causes of malnutrition. The total study period was nine months. The survey team used public transport, often conducting just two interviews a day. Through open-ended surveys and focus group discussions, in-depth information was obtained on agricultural patterns, food habits, food storage and marketing practices, infant-feeding practices, and cultural beliefs and taboos. Secondary data was analysed.

This publication is the outcome of a workshop sponsored by the Canadian IDRC which examined the research methods available to rapidly generate information on community nutrition problems. Paper One (see Cervinskas. J, 1990) is an introduction which offers explanations for the failures of conventional scientific research in nutrition. Paper Two describes RRA and RAP as methodologies suited for making nutrition research more relevant (see Kachondham. Y, 1990) Paper Three discusses RAP for community-based Assessment and Analysis. (see Hurtado.

Six explanations are given for the general failure of the scientific, academic and donor communities to make nutrition research action oriented: academic orientation, academic bias, 'roadside development', shortage of human resources, discipline orientation, and a lack of suitable conceptual models. Four new research approaches are suggested: i) the use of Rapid Rural Appraisal; ii) Rapid Assessment Procedures; iii) utilization of local knowledge; iv) application of social marketing practices.