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groups in understanding and analysing poverty that stimulated the understanding of specific plan of action for its amelioration is perhaps the first such exercise in Bangladesh. Methods adopted in conducting this research (Participatory Action Research-PAR) as well findings i.e. how to involve the poor rural people as researchers in searching their understanding about poverty, causes of poverty and formulating plan to combat will be of immense benefits to other researchers and development interventionists. This research project successfully demonstrated that the poor men and women can act as researchers and identify the nature and causes of their poverty and plan as well as implement poverty alleviation programmes using their own resources and with minimum external assistance. The methods and tools used in this PAR project can also be used by the other researchers intend to undertake research on poverty issues. The study will have major impacts on those who formulate policies on poverty alleviation at the Government level and undertake research/studies on poverty alleviation /reduction. A shift from present conventional 'consultancy-type' research to 'Participatory Action Research' will be the most important impact of this research. Participation as main researchers by the poor (direct role) themselves, playing the roles of the main researcher as mere coordinator (i.e. passive role) and community supports are the three most crucial factors for success of this research project.
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