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Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.9.200.215:4000/handle/123456789/196
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Item The Politics of Research Methodology in the Social Sciences(1979-07-01) Mbilinyi, Marjorie; Vuorela, Ulla; Kassam, Yusuf; Masisi, YohanaIn this paper we critically examine various research methodologies which have been employed in the social sciences and which have developed in the context of conditions determined by the historical development of capitalism in Africa. This analysis establishes the context in which the Participatory Research Approach emerged, to be investigated in Lead Paper 3. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section analyses the dominant social science research methodologies and the conditions of production of knowledge in the present epoch of imperialism. The methodologies which have developed in Africa are examined in the second section in relation to different periods of capitalist development. The third section critically analyses struggles over production and reproduction of knowledge using the Experimental World Literacy Programme as illustration of worldwide basic education reform in order to concretise the issues raised concerning neo-positivist survey research methods of investigation, and to show their integral relation to concepts of development identified with orthodox bourgeois economic theory.Item Participatory Research and Popular Education in Africa(1983) Mustafa, KemalParticipatory research and popular education are critical frameworks for engaging oppressed communities in the study of their exploitation, aiming at fostering political consciousness and social transformation. This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings of participatory research as a component of historical materialist practice, its strategic importance in class struggle, and its role in bridging the divide between mental and manual labor. Emphasis is placed on the African context, examining its distinct experiences with participatory research in contrast to other regions such as Latin America. The evolution of participatory research in Africa, its integration into development projects, and the influence of colonial and neocolonial legacies are critically analyzed. The author also delves into debates surrounding methodologies, ideological differences, and the contributions of participatory research to social movements and national development.Item A Brief Note on the Participatory Research Methodology(1980-03) Couillard, Marie-AndreeThis working paper by Marie-Andree Couillard, prepared for the KANITA Workshop II at Universiti Sains Malaysia, explores participatory research as a methodology for involving rural and underprivileged communities in the research process. It highlights the challenges, responsibilities, and practical considerations of using participatory methods within development projects. The author discusses the historical context, theoretical foundations, and pragmatic limitations of participatory research, questioning its efficacy in truly empowering the poor within constrained socio-economic systems.Item Participatory Research Methodologies(International Conference on Adult Education and Development, Tanzania, 1976) Dead, MargaretThis document discusses the shift in development concepts, focusing on participatory research as a tool for communities to develop self-knowledge and transform their social reality. The paper explores the role of community involvement in social change, citing work by Margaret Dead, Charles Nesbitt, and Paulo Freire. Participatory methodologies are seen as a way to mobilize community resources, allowing individuals to play an active role in analyzing their social context and contributing to societal development. The conference highlights the significance of these methodologies in achieving authentic and sustainable community empowerment.