Participatory Research

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how, with traditional research, the research subjects are alienated from the research that is produced. The paper explains that participatory research means that community-based sources would help researchers to recruit subjects and would make them active partners in the study, clearly informing them of the uses of their research. The paper offers diabetes treatment and research as an example of the uses of the participatory approach. The paper points out, however, that participatory research may not be appropriate to all types of study, where a large cross-section of a population is required, or a large amount of data is required with controls.

From the Paper:

"One common critique of traditional modalities of social research is that traditionally minded researchers are unable to regard the subjects of their fact-finding mission as anything but lists of quantitative data that either prove or disprove a hypothesis. Through this lens, the research subjects are alienated from the research that is produced, research that would not exist without their participation. The educational institutions that publish the research benefit from the research project, not the participants. Participatory research is an attempt to remedy this deficit by offering a different approach to the research process."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Conde-Frazier, Elizabeth. (Summer 2006). "Participatory Action Research: PracticalTheology for Social Justice." Religious Education. . Retrieved 24 Feb 2007 a thttp://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3783/is_200607/ai_n17187967
• Park, P. (1993). "What is participatory research? A theoretical and methodologicalperspective." In P. Park, M. Brydon-Miller, B. Hall and T. Jackson (Eds.). Voices of change (pp. 1-19). Westport. Conn: Bergin & Garvey.
• "The Role of Community-Based Participatory Research: Creating Partnerships, ImprovingHealth." (Jun 2003). Authored by AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Retrieved 24 Feb 2007 http://www.ahrq.gov/research/cbprrole.htm

More papers on Participatory Research:

• Essay # 89426 : "Social Change and Participatory Action Research"
• Article Review # 107723 : "Experimentation Critique"
• Dissertation or Thesis # 52912 : "Non-Participation in the Classroom"

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