Participatory Research
Participatory research should be the backbone of any technological/development attempt, and works to insure that local people's needs are satisfied. In order to best satisfy these needs, practicioners (whether the are scientists or not) must attempt to take into account multiple perspectives which characterize most heterogenous communities. Those who traditionally went missing from research "are usually the poorest and most disadvantaged."(p.177 Regenerating Agriculture). Sensitive dialog between the researcher and the subjects shoul move away from formal interviews to situations that are more flexible and mutually beneficial in nature. Another important element in participatory research is a focus on diagramming and other forms of visual construction. Through diagramming and visual construction, local people provide a "focus for dialog" through the usage of "local categories, criteria and symbols"(p.177 Regenerating Agriculture).