Evaluating participation processes in community development

Abstract

In this study evaluation methodology is discussed in the context of a participatory community health development project. The paper presents a study of the participatory dynamics of the project and explores the implications thereof for the evaluation of participation. The principal source of data is interviews conducted with 13 selected participants in the project. Analysis of interview data is done using a structured hermeneutic method specifically developed for the purpose. The methodology and findings of this study are discussed in relation to the need to find ways of evaluating participatory processes. The authors develop a set of objectives which they suggest should be central to the evaluation of participatory processes in such contexts.