Participatory Methods

Perception Scale

The Perception Scale is a participatory activity that allows participants to express their opinions, feelings, or ideas on a topic using a visual scale, either physical (with spatial positioning) or graphical. This method fosters reflection, dialogue, and collective analysis by clearly and visually representing different perspectives.

Preparation

  1. Define the topic or question: Formulate a clear and relevant question that encourages reflection, such as: “How satisfied are we with this project?” or “How much impact does this issue have on our community?”
  2. Prepare the space or materials:
    • If the activity is physical, designate an area where participants can position themselves according to their answers.
    • If it is graphical, provide sheets with lines or graphs, boards, or digital tools to record perceptions.
  3. Select scales: Decide whether to use numbers (1 to 10), descriptions (low, medium, high), or creative representations such as colors or emojis.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduction to the topic
    • Explain the purpose of the activity and how the scales will help collect individual and group perceptions.
    • Provide clear examples so participants understand how to position themselves or mark their perception.
  2. Present the scale
    • If physical, draw a line on the floor or use visible markers to represent the extremes (e.g., “Strongly agree” to “Strongly disagree”).
    • If graphical, display a visual format on boards, sheets, or digital tools.
  3. Individual participation
    • Ask a specific question and invite participants to position themselves on the physical scale or mark their response on the graphical scale.
    • Encourage each person to reflect before deciding on their position.
  4. Group discussion
    • Facilitate a collective dialogue by asking:
      • Why did you choose these positions?
      • What patterns or trends can be observed?
      • Are there significant discrepancies? Why?
  5. Analysis and consensus
    • Reflect with the group on the results obtained.
    • If necessary, pose new questions or scales to deepen the discussion.
  6. Closure and conclusions
    • Summarize the collected perceptions and how they can influence upcoming decisions or actions.
    • Document the results for further analysis.
Recommendations
  • Clarity in scales: Ensure participants understand the endpoints and intermediate points.
  • Diversity of approaches: Use different types of scales (numerical, graphical, emotional) based on the topic.
  • Visual documentation: Take photos or capture results for later analysis.
  • Flexibility: Adapt the scales according to the group’s needs or dynamics.
Materials
  • A large space (for physical scales).
  • Paper, whiteboards, markers, or digital tools (for graphical scales).
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of the Perception Scale is to simply and effectively visualize a group's opinions, ideas, or feelings on a specific topic, promoting the exchange of perspectives and informed decision-making. This activity fosters collective understanding and helps identify patterns, consensus, or discrepancies that can guide future actions.
Type of activity
Participatory EvaluationParticipatory InteractionParticipatory Planning
Level of participation
Shared decision-making, Knowledge generation, Exchange of perspectives
Target audience
Educators, Facilitators, Community leaders, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams, Government
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Organizational and business management, Health and social well-being, Sustainability and environment, Public policies and governance, Research and evaluation, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
From 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of questions and the group size.
Ideal number of participants
From 6 to 30 participants, depending on the available space or resources.
Topics related to this activity
Collective DiagnosisCollective ReflectionVisual DiagnosisVisual Methodology
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