Plug-in Principle

Basic principles:

Scientific knowledge cannot replace existing knowledge or situation, it only “betters” it. Thus we are ‘bettering’ agents not change agents.

The plug-in (intervention) is narrower as compared to existing knowledge (in any society or community).

To successfully plug-in, there is need to thoroughly understand the existing situation. That requires some level of acceptance of interventionists by the people. Thus interventionists need to spend time in the communities and with community members.

The amalgam informal and scientific knowledge is very much dependent on the degree to which interventionists understand and appreciate the existing situation. This understanding and appreciation of the existing situation helps to modify intervention strategies to suit particular situations.