Theoretical perspective and practice of community appraisal in an academic institution

Date

11-2001

Abstract

Community appraisal is a process whereby people collectively and systematically gather and analyze data and information in order to gain a better understanding of the community conditions, strengths, concerns, needs and priorities. The output is critical in determining appropriate community-based research and development (CBR&D) projects or programs. The study was conducted to 1) determine the extent to which the community appraisal practices of UPLB CBR&D practitioners conform with the theoretical perspective or recommendations of UPLB CBR&D experts on how community appraisals should be conducted; 2) determine the effectiveness of translating UPLB CBR&D experts' community appraisal knowledge into practitioners practice; 3) identify factors which are associated with or may influence the UPLB CBR&D practitioners' community appraisal practices.

The descriptive research design employing the survey approach was used for collection of both qualitative and quantitative data from UPLB CBR&D experts and practitioners selected through purposive and stratified random sampling. It entailed the use of descriptive sample survey to characterize the UPLB CBR&D experts and practitioners and describe their theoretical perspective and practices on community appraisal. In comparing the CBR&D practitioners' community appraisal practices with the CBR&D experts' theoretical perspective on the conduct of community appraisals, the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test was used. The correlation analysis, specifically, Spearman rank correlation and the contingency coefficients based on the chi-square test, were used to examine relationships. A 5% margin of error and 95% level of confidence were used in the study.

The UPLB CBR&D practitioners' conduct of community appraisal is significantly different from the theoretical perspective/recommendations of UPLB CBR&D experts on the conduct of community appraisal. The UPLB CBR&D practitioners' community appraisal practices fall short of the CBR&D experts' recommendations in terms of the stage of the project cycle in which community appraisals are conducted, the main objective for its conduct, the type and sector of community, the major field of interest, the data sets gathered, the composition of the community appraisal team, and the nature of the inquiry, approach, methods, techniques, tools and instruments used. Results also revealed that the effectiveness of translating the UPLB CBR&D experts' community appraisal knowledge into the UPLB CDR&D practitioner's practice is 77.28% which is below the acceptable effectiveness rating of 80.50%. The UPLB CDR&D practitioners' conduct of community appraisal is influenced by 1) their personal attributes, such as CBR&D exposure and knowledge and community appraisal experience and knowledge; as well as by 2) the CBR&D project components like the project focus or field of interest, goal, resources, project team and community team.

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Master of Science in Community Development

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Pura T. Depositario

Committee Member

Enrique P. Pacardo, Samuel T. Mancebo, Melinda F. Lumanta

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 996 2001 C59 B47

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