Guidelines for Developing and Applying Narratives from Kasetsart University Research Stations and Connected Areas under the Community Participation Process

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated, collected, and analyzed roles and values, as well as established guidelines and created narrative content from Kasetsart University's research station and its surrounding regions. A semi-structured questionnaire, quality-checked by three storytelling experts, was used to interview 20 key informants who developed or knew the stories. The results identified 25 narratives in four categories: spatial context, agricultural knowledge, important places, and outstanding products. These stories fulfill four valuable functions: serving as a source of scientific knowledge for the community, inspiring transformative ideas within the region, promoting agro-tourism, and facilitating product development. Additionally, 32 narratives were found in the area connected to the research station and were categorized into seven groups: spatial context, history/tales/legends, lifestyle, traditions and games, local food, agriculture/herbs, and natural resources and important places. These narratives contribute to the local community by adding value to local products, reflecting the ethnic group and culture of the Hmong hill tribe, conveying the meaning of tourism, fostering a shared consciousness of belonging to the Hmong hill tribe group, and storing knowledge. Guidelines for designing and developing narrative content involve four main processes: searching and collecting information, designing and developing, evaluating content, and improving content. Stories from research stations and their connected areas serve as important tools in enhancing the economic value added to communities, thereby fostering strong and sustainable self-reliance based on community capital.