Scientific explanation of local and
indigenous knowledge to the
community
The next step entails taking back the results of the
scientific workshop to the community to make them
aware that there are scientific explanations to some
of their LINK. The LINKs that cannot be scientifically
explained at this point in time can also be presented.
This step enables the two-way learning of action
research, since communities learn about the science
behind some of their knowledge.
In the Philippines, the community validation after the
scientific workshop was conducted by comparing
the outcomes of community surveys and focus group
discussions (FGDs), and the scientific explanations.
The validation was participatory with selected
community members invited to a FGD and workshop,
which involved the following steps:
 A review of LINK identified in the community;
 A discussion of the scientific assessments of LINK
(based on the workshop with the scientists) so that
people obtained a better understanding of LINK
from a scientific point of view;
 A discussion of which LINK the community
would like to disseminate through appropriate
information, education, and communication (IEC)
materials;
 A discussion on self-assessment tools to see how
they themselves can carry out the process of
documenting and validating LINK;
 A discussion on how LINK can be incorporated into
the DRR and CCA activities of the community.