The approach to the fieldwork was participatory and
based on qualitative methods. 2 We also, however,
recognised the need to work through established structures
of authority at district and village levels. An initial
meeting was held in the district town with a range of
officials whose views we sought on the selected study
villages. At the end of each period of fieldwork we also
made a return visit to the district to report back to local officials on our findings.