Participatory Research Methods
What is it?
Participatory research, or action-based research, is defined as research that is with and for people, treating them as participants and not as research subjects. Generally speaking, participatory research is used by studies seeking to identify problems, propose concrete solutions, and analyse practical intervention outcomes. The strength of action-based research is its ability to positively influence practice, while gathering both quantitative and qualitative data.
The Participatory Approach
The participatory approach that guides action-based research levels the unequal power relations that are found in traditional research between the researchers and human research subjects. This approach encourages the research participants to take part in the process of examining their needs and capacities, and to identify actions that can lead to a solution. Participatory approaches require learning a new mode of intervention, based on active listening, dialogue, exchange of information and knowledge, commitment and mutual respect.
Participatory Research Tools
Participatory research tools enable both the research participants and local stakeholders to increase their knowledge and to coproduce new information. Participatory methods are relatively easy to use oral or visual techniques such as group discussion and photovoice. The use of participatory methodologies can enable rural young girls and women to share their point of view on issues of concern and contribute to the identification of sustainable and efficient solutions to fight rural poverty.
