Rapid rural appraisal methodology and its use in nutrition surveys

There is an important role for qualitative, low cost and quick techniques in the field of malnutrition. RRA appears to promise this. Five constant principles of RRA are given, while recognising that every RRA is different, namely triangulation, optimal ignorance, appropriate imprecision, rapid and progressive learning, and learning from local people. Data collection is discussed, including secondary sources and primary work in the field, particularly semi-structured interviews, group discussions,semi-structured interviews, group discussions, observations, key informants, community respondants is important. It is felt that there is not yet adequate recognition of the potential of RRA, with a lack of training in, and instutionalisation of, the methods being highlighted.