Knowledge Democracy and Participatory Research

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Welcome to the Knowledge Democracy and Participatory Research Community. This community serves as a comprehensive repository of resources on participatory approaches, community-based research, and collaborative inquiry methods. Our mission is to foster knowledge sharing and support initiatives that empower communities to contribute to research, ensuring their voices shape the knowledge that impacts their lives.

Explore a wealth of materials, including case studies, policy papers, training guides, and research publications that highlight the practice and principles of participatory research worldwide.

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 15
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    About PRA and PRA Tools
    (0000)
    Participatory Assessment (PRA) is a particular form of QUALITATIVE RESEARCH used to gain an in-depth understanding of a community or a situation. It is sometimes called participatory 'rapid' assessment because the information is collected in a few weeks. PRA is a form of assessment based on the participation of a range of different people including people from the community affected by the work. The emphasis is on participation rather than on being particularly rapid (hence PRA is sometimes called participatory relaxed assessment). The aim is for people to analyse their own situation, rather than to have it analysed by outsiders. This makes it a particularly useful tool for any kind of community development.
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    Analysis and Evaluation of Participatory Research Projects in Wang Tepus, Kedah
    (1979-02) Zachariah, Mary
    Since its inception in February, 1979, the Participatory Research Component of KANITA has been involved in a number of projects in Kampung Kota Hengkuang, Wang Tepus. These have varied in scope and ambition; they have also achieved different degrees of success. In analysing and evaluating the degree of success and our contribution to that, however, two things should be borne in mind. Firstly, the success or failure of a project is a very difficult thing to assess, since a project that fails may indeed teach the villagers far more than one that succeeds, and therefore may make a bigger contribution to their understanding and competence to successfully negotiate a subsequent project.
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    Looking Back, Looking Forward: Reflections on the Origins of the International Participatory Research Network and the Participatory Research Group in Toronto, Canada
    (The 8th World Congress on Participatory Action Research, June 1 - 5, Cartagena, Colombia, 0000) Hall, Budd L
    This paper reflects on the development and expansion of Participatory Research (PR) from the early days in Tanzania, highlighting its global influences and critical engagements with various academic, activist, and educational communities. It traces the evolution of participatory practices from their foundational roots in Tanzania, the influence of key figures such as Paulo Freire and Julius Nyerere, and the collaborative efforts that led to the establishment of the International Participatory Research Network. The paper also reflects on the challenges and successes of integrating participatory methods in diverse cultural and socio-political contexts, offering a personal account of the author's involvement in this global movement.
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    Participatory Research: A New Methodology for Adult Educators?
    (Department of Adult Education, University of British Columbia., 0000) Griffith, William S.; Cristarella, Mary C.
    This paper explores participatory research as a methodology within adult education, emphasizing its potential to address social transformation and involve marginalized communities in their development. The authors critically analyze the dichotomies in traditional and participatory research, discuss its emergence through initiatives like the International Council for Adult Education, and evaluate its practical application in adult learning. The challenges and theoretical underpinnings are also highlighted to advocate for its inclusion as a complementary approach in adult education.
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    Researcher-Societal Interrelation in Participatory Research Approach
    (Non-Formal Education Association, Tamil Nadu, 0000) Natarajan, A.V.
    This paper discusses the limitations of conventional social research and advocates for Participatory Research (PR) as a transformative approach. It critiques traditional research methods for being disconnected from the communities they aim to serve and proposes PR as a means for empowering individuals and communities to engage in self-directed development. By focusing on societal interrelations and the role of the researcher as a facilitator rather than a decision-maker, the paper emphasizes the need for community-driven, flexible research methodologies that prioritize local needs, social integration, and practical problem-solving.
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    The use of popular theatre for adult education in Botswana and its relation to the concept of Participatory Research
    (African Adult Education Association, 1979-07) Kraai, Ziki; MacKenzie, Bob; Youngman, Frank
    This document explores the concept of participatory research and its integration with popular theatre as a tool for community development and adult education. The study examines the origins, development, and processes of popular theatre, detailing its role in addressing social and political issues, fostering participation, and mobilizing communities. Case studies highlight practical applications, emphasizing the method's impact on social change and self-reliance. The work provides insights into the challenges and effectiveness of integrating participatory research with popular theatre practices.
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    Participatory Research in Community Development and Local Theology - Ivanhoe, Virginia, USA
    (Highlander Research and Education Center, USA, 0000) Lewis, Helen M.
    This report documents a participatory research project conducted with the community of Ivanhoe, Virginia, focusing on the impacts of industrial decline and efforts to revitalize the community. The project, part of a larger educational initiative by the Highlander Research and Education Center, explores how the community responded to economic changes. The project also addresses how women in rural areas are leading community revitalization efforts and the development of local theology. The collaborative work of a community educator, a feminist theologian, and a local community leader produced a participatory analysis of the community's struggle and strategies for economic development, resulting in a two-volume history of Ivanhoe and a deeper understanding of grassroots community organizing and participatory research.
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    How can Professsionals Help...Groups do their own Participatory Action Research?
    (0000)
    This paper explores the role of professionals in research, particularly how they can help community groups conduct their own participatory action research. It discusses the historical shift in the perception of science from Newtonian to post-Einsteinian views and the resulting changes in how professionals perceive their involvement in generating knowledge. The paper emphasizes the importance of collaboration with clients or service users in research, highlighting the ethical implications of conducting research 'on', 'for', and 'with' people. It also discusses how professionals can facilitate research that aligns with the interests and values of the critical reference group—the intended beneficiaries of the research.
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    Participatory Evaluation of the Rangabelia Project
    (Tagore Society for Rural Development, 0000) Barman, Gopinath; Giri, Sasadhar
    This participatory evaluation report provides a detailed account of the Rangabelia Project's initiatives aimed at fostering rural development in the Sundarban region of West Bengal. The project emphasizes people’s participation, especially targeting the underprivileged communities. The evaluation highlights the socio-economic challenges, agricultural constraints, and the efforts in promoting second crops, cooperative societies, and comprehensive community development programs. By engaging local youth and the most marginalized groups, the project serves as a model for inclusive and sustainable development.

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