Brazil, Malawi, Peru, India, Uganda, UK
This theme issue of PLA Notes looks at ‘analysis’: the tricky process of ‘making sense’ of the information derived from participatory approaches. While it is easy to generate much interesting and unusual information through participatory processes, it is often very difficult to make sense of the mountain of data with which we are left. Where does participation in analysis begin and end? When does it happen, and how and by whom is learning represented? How can serious analysis ensure that local people learn about the value of their lives and gain the confidence to represent their own choices? Articles in this issue of PLA Notes discuss what happens when data is ‘collected’, discussed, summarised and shared, when priorities are made, and action points are agreed. It includes examples from Uganda, Peru, UK, Malawi, India, Brazil and El Salvador. The articles examine who is involved in analysing information at different stages in a participatory process and discuss how critical reflection can, and should, become part of any participatory process.