Participatory Research: An Alternative
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Abstract
The term 'Participatory Research was first used in the context of adult education during the 1970s. Its articulation was an attempt to reinstate the underlying philosophy of adult education which several adult educators felt was being diluted in practice. Adult education is premised on a commitment to adults actively participating in the world, deciding what they want to learn and the best way they can learn is. The professional training adult educators receive however, along with and their engagement in systematic, empirical research distances them from learners and establishes a one-way control over the research process. Similar contradictions were being faced by other social scientists particularly those who had experienced the inadequacies of the conventional research methodology in explain the harsh realities faced by oppressed people around the world.
Description
Participatory Research (PR) challenges traditional research by involving communities directly in the process of inquiry and action. Rooted in social movements, it blends investigation, education, and empowerment. PR values local knowledge and promotes change through collaboration. It’s cyclical, inclusive, and grounded in real-life experiences.
Keywords
Participatory Research (PR), Historical Materialism, Community Involvement, People's Knowledge, Empowerment
Citation
Bandt D. Just getting there: Creating visual tools for collective analysis in Freirian education programmes for immigrant women in Peru and Canada. Toranto: Participatory Research Group, 1981.