African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research, Mzumbe, 2nd - 7th July 1979: Report of Group Discussion by Groups III and IV on Lead Paper 2
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Date
1979-07-07
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African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research
Abstract
This report summarizes the group discussions on Lead Paper 2 from the African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research in Mzumbe, 1979. The participants focused on three major areas: the constraints on participatory research, primarily due to funding requirements and bureaucratic oversight; the influence of these constraints on research direction and findings; and strategies for conducting research under such conditions. The discussion highlighted how funding agencies and ruling bureaucrats shape the research agenda to align with their interests, limiting the scope of radical research and often restricting results to academic language. Additionally, the report notes the tendency to prioritize research areas that attract funding, rather than addressing the genuine needs of the community.
Description
The group identified key barriers to participatory research, including the dependency on capital (both internal and external) and strict oversight by bureaucrats, which hinder both the conduct and dissemination of research. Strategies discussed for overcoming these constraints included aligning research themes with funding priorities without compromising research integrity. However, the group emphasized the difficulties of challenging the underlying politico-economic structures within developing countries. The discussions stressed the need to balance academic requirements with accessibility to ensure meaningful impact.
Keywords
Participatory Research, Constraints, Funding Agencies, Bureaucracy, Research Limitations, Radical Research, International Capital, Politico-Economic Influence
Citation
(1979). African Regional Workshop on Participatory Research, Mzumbe, 2nd - 7th July 1979: Report of Group Discussion on Lead Paper 2.