8 th Centre for Continuing Education and Interdisciplinary Research, University for Development Studies, Harmattan School conference: Literacy and the Millennium Development Goals. Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation Conference Centre, Tamale, Ghana. 6-8 February 2012. Research and dissemination methods for non-literate contexts Imogen Bellwood-Howard KiŶg’s College LoŶdoŶ, The StraŶd, LoŶdoŶ, WC2, UK, ibellwoodh@gmail.com Abstract Research, dissemination and wider learning are interlinked activities in agricultural development. This paper describes and evaluates five visual techniques that were used for data generation and dissemination in a Soil Fertility Management project involving non- literate farmers in Dagbon. It illustrates that combining many such methods in an iterative research and dissemination process is useful in non-literate contexts. Although use of these techniques primarily aims to overcome the barrier of non-literacy, many simultaneously promote the developmeŶt of participaŶts’ readiŶg, writiŶg or Ŷuŵeracy skills. Key words: calendar, diagramming, film, literacy, survey, visual methods, workshops Introduction A low literacy level is research topic and a problem to tackle in itself, as the contributions to this LJeaƌs HaƌŵattaŶ sĐhool illustƌate. It is also a ĐoŶtedžt that deǀelopŵeŶt ƌeseaƌĐheƌs work within. This means research and dissemination methods have to accept and adapt to it in the short term as well as challenge it in the long run. Non-literacy presents a challenge when designing methodologies to generate data as well as techniques for feeding results back to participants, the latter in particular a process that aims eventually to contribute to their education and development. However, through this challenge, illiterate contexts also provide an opportunity to develop innovative and appropriate methods that recognise and include less literate people and work in a way that reflects their concerns. This paper presents and reflects upon five research and dissemination techniques that have been developed over the past four years in the course of a Soil Fertility Management (SFM)