Participatory Planning--A Heuristic for Adjusting Interventions to the Context

Past studies suggest that interventions can be optimally tailored to the specific situation by involving the target group in the planning stage of the intervention. A heuristic was developed to encourage possible participation. The use of this heuristic is demonstrated by reporting a participatory intervention process carried out to improve correct sorting of recyclables in a student hall of residence. The planning group took into account group characteristics and the specific context of intervention in their choice and design of measurements. Target behavior was measured by re-sorting and analyzing the contents of packaging and garbage containers over a period of 30 wks. Incorrect sorting of recyclables decreased from 38% average contamination to 22.5% during and after intervention concerning the packaging containers and from 69% to 53% concerning unclassified garbage containers. In a control group no decrease was observed. It is discussed whether the specific tailoring of the measurements is responsible for the long-term effects or participation as a whole.