Revolutions in Development Inquiry

Book Details

• Author: Robert Chambers

• Publisher: Routledge

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 256

• Release Date: 31-10-2008

• ISBN: 9781844076253

• Package Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches

• Languages: English

About The Book
In "Revolutionizing Development: Reflecting on the Past and the Future," Robert Chambers presents a transformative reflection on the methodologies and methods of development inquiry that have evolved over the past four decades. This book brings together, for the first time, the significant shifts in development research practices, focusing on their potential for future change.

Chambers traces the development of various approaches, from the traditional large-scale questionnaire surveys to the rise of participatory methodologies such as Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). He highlights the increasing significance of newer methods like participatory statistics and mapping, showing how these tools empower local communities and provide valid alternatives to more conventional inquiry methods.

The author challenges the urban biases in traditional development research and introduces new strategies for overcoming these limitations, making a case for a more inclusive, people-driven approach to development inquiry. Chambers emphasizes the transformative potential of participatory methodologies, which have the power to drive changes not only in practice but also in personal, professional, and institutional spheres.

This book is essential reading for anyone involved in development, offering an insightful look at the revolutionary changes in research methods and the profound implications for the future of development work.