Participatory Rural Appraisal as a Methodology for Social Justice Research

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) offers a transformative approach to social research by prioritizing community participation, local knowledge, and collective problem-solving. Unlike conventional top-down methods, PRA empowers marginalized groups to identify issues and co-create solutions. This chapter examines PRA as a methodology for advancing social justice research, with reference to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India. It discusses how PRA tools—such as social mapping, resource mapping, and seasonal calendars—can illuminate exclusion, governance, and development challenges among Scheduled Castes, women, and the rural poor. Drawing on case studies and secondary literature, the chapter highlights methodological innovations, ethical challenges, and strategies to ensure genuine participation. By linking PRA to participatory action and decolonial research paradigms, it argues that PRA strengthens both democratic engagement and accountable local governance in the Global South.