View all of the booksView All Caribbean Development Bank, paperback 2007 Publication Author A. Shillingford. & E. Wint. Get Social With Us A Manual in Participatory Research and Development The goals of the Participatory Approach revolve around creation of empowerment which encourages self-learning, self-teaching and self-action, all with the goal of developing self-reliance. Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) is one of several models of Participatory Research. The Manual is a hands-on teaching guide to training in the use of PLA in Participatory Research and Action as we seek to work with communities and peoples.