Revolutions in Development Inquiry

In Revolutions in Development Inquiry, Robert Chambers offers a thought-provoking review of the dramatic transformations that have reshaped development inquiry over the past forty years. With scholarly insight, Chambers traces the evolution from traditional large-scale, multi-subject questionnaire surveys and the limited perspectives of rural development tourism to the emerging and dynamic participatory approaches that have redefined the field. The book delves into the surge of innovative methodologies such as rapid rural appraisal (RRA), participatory rural appraisal (PRA), and the burgeoning fields of participatory numbers and statistics as well as mapping with GIS. Chambers carefully outlines how these methods empower local communities by providing robust alternatives to conventional practices, and he highlights the critical need to overcome the inherent biases of urban-centric analysis. A compelling call for change, Revolutions in Development Inquiry challenges readers to reconsider established practices and embrace the creative pluralism that characterizes modern development inquiry. A transformative work for anyone invested in the future of development methodologies, this book presents engaging reflections on the unlimited potential of participatory methods in driving institutional and societal change.