LLSFVIER Agricultural System. Vol. 55, No. 2, pp. 195 216, (1997) (;) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain PII: s0308-521x(97)00007-3 030%521X/97 Sl7.00 +fI 00 Participatory Research Methods-Implementation, Effectiveness and Institutional Context Adrienne Martin & John Sherington Natural Resources Institute, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK, ME4 4TB (Received 30 April 1996; accepted 31 October 1996) ABSTRACT This paper outlines some of the main issues and debates in participatory research and participatory technology development, concentrating on implementation. Arguments in favour of farmer participatory research (FPR) are examined, as are a number of dtficulties. An important question is the extent to which zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA the findings generated by location-specific, participatory research are applicable und transferable to similar systems elsewhere. Issues of data analysis and use of statistics in participatory research are discussed. Modern statistical methods have u useful role in participatorv research, but knowledge of these is limited due to the lack of suitable texts and, until recently, the lack of easily, accessible computer software. Assessing the eflectiveness of participatory ‘methods’ is d@icult as they are context sensitive. The resources needed,for collaborative par- ticipatory work are often underestimated and methodologies for monitoring and evaluation have been particularly weak. The development of linkages between participatory research projects and national research organisations is not straightforward, and does not always lead to the institutionalisation of participatory approaches. Integration of participatory methods into dtrering institutional contexts requires management innovation, skill develop- ment and new working procedures. Critical areas are: building institutional linkages, maintaining communication, and co-ordination and management and monitoring of participatory research. Signtficant increuses in devol- ved participator_y research approaches are unlikely in the absence of strong farmers’ organisations and intermediary organisations. A number of suggestions for further research are made. 0 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd 195