The Sondeo : a rapid reconnaissance approach for situational assessment

Abstract

Rapid reconnaissance or rapid appraisal usually involves short periods of time in the field, and it combines some elements of the formal survey, key informant interviewing and participant observation (Table 1).Rapid reconnaissance approaches to situational assessment have evolved because they can be cost efficient, timely, locally relevant, accurate in "telling it like it is," and useful in responding to people's perceived concerns.They are also effective in decreasing outsider bias in assessing people's needs, concerns and perceptions, for example, by reducing prejudices and stereotypes, academic categories, and dependency on "easy-to-reach" respondents.The sondeo approach is a relatively simple way of understanding local people's experiences and viewpoints and to gather indigenous knowledge.It is an effective method for providing in-depth under standing of different interest groups' perspectives and experiences.It can encourage clientele participation in problem diagnosis, planning, program implementation and monitoring, evaluation of technologies or services, testing alternatives and verifying what is known.If carefully organized, a sondeo can involve people who are frequently overlooked, for example, limited resource clients, women and culturally "invisible" groups.By involving local people actively throughout the process, it provides a contrast to traditional research in that data is not merely extracted and disseminated.Rather, it is a participatory action research technique involving members of the community in both data analysis and action. ,