ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the lessons on participatory field research learnt from the field. The lessons have been grouped into the following generic clusters: Approaching Community for Participatory Research; Listening and Learning from Local Community; Pace of Research; Conducting Field Inquiry; Research Methods; Quality of Research; Handling Sensitive Issues; Managing Community Expectations; and Making Research Culturally Compatible. The process of rapport building with local communities can itself be a lengthy process. From the perspective of participatory field research, listening and learning is important that any local community is able to appreciate the objectives of participatory research and agrees to participate. Local communities practising agriculture in urban and peri-urban areas are busy throughout the year either in farming or in off-farm activities. Whereas, daily interactions with the community members and research rounds succeeding the first round helped in assuring the community about the perseverance, transparency and seriousness of participatory approaches researchers and helped in building mutual relationship, confidence and trust.
