Salway, S., K. Harriss, et al. (2011). Using participatory, observational and 'rapid appraisal' methods: researching health and illness. in Understanding Social Research: Thinking Creatively about Method. J. Mason and A. Dale. London, Sage.
This book chapter explores using participatory, observational and 'rapid appraisal' methods with community researchers for researching health and illness. The methodological approach had three features: firstly, the researchers took a locality-focused approach, identifying four geographically delineable 'communities' or 'localities' in London; secondly, the researchers worked in collaboration with a team of community researchers, and thirdly the researchers employed a range of data generation methods combining participatory techniques, observation and naturalistic interaction with individuals and groups. All three methods were combined in a 'rapid appraisal' period lasting around 7 days and involving four to six researchers in each location. While recognising the multiple possible meanings of community, the authors use 'community' to identify four geographic localities within London that were home to significant concentrations of people who self-identify with particular ethnic groups, which the authors term 'ethno-geographic communities'. The authors argue that having a particular ethnic identity and residing within a particular geographic area can have significant implications for the health options available to individuals.