The SAGE Handbook of Participatory Research and Inquiry

This SAGE Handbook provides an overview of participatory research and inquiry, exploring different influences, critical issues, methods, and tools. It is designed for researchers, professionals, and activists engaged in social transformation, and offers insights and practical resources for facilitators, community workers, and activists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1168 pages
Publication date: 02 September 2021
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

This SAGE Handbook presents cutting-edge approaches to participatory research and inquiry, designed for researchers, professionals, and activists engaged in interventions and action for social transformation. It offers an overview of different influences on participatory research, explores critical issues and design effective participatory research processes, and provides detailed accounts of various participatory research methods. Chapters cover pioneering techniques such as methods that can be operationalized at scale, approaches to engaging the poorest and most marginalized, and ways of harnessing technologies to increase participation.

Drawing upon a wide range of disciplines and featuring contributions from authors around the world, this Handbook appeals to an international readership across social sciences, including social policy, development studies, geography, sociology, criminology, political science, health and social care, education, psychology, business, and management. It serves as an insightful and practical resource for facilitators, community workers, and activists seeking to promote social change.

Part 1: Introduction

This Handbook provides an introduction to participatory research and inquiry, exploring its origins, theoretical foundations, and practical applications. It discusses the significance of participatory research in addressing social inequality, promoting social justice, and achieving sustainable development. The introduction also highlights the challenges and ethical considerations associated with participatory research, such as power dynamics, cultural sensitivity, and the potential for exploitation.

Part 2: Key Influences and Foundations of Participatory Research

This section explores the key influences and foundations of participatory research, including social movement theory, critical theory, and feminist theory. It examines how these theoretical frameworks shape the practice of participatory research, emphasizing the importance of empowering marginalized communities and promoting social change. The section also discusses the role of power relations, social hierarch.

Part 3: Critical Issues in the Practice of Participatory Research

This section addresses critical issues in the practice of participatory research, such as ensuring ethical conduct, building trust, and maintaining participant confidentiality. It discusses the importance of reflexivity, self-awareness, and ongoing learning in participatory research, as well as the challenges of working with diverse populations and contexts. The section also explores the role of participatory research in promoting social justice, equity, and sustainability, and the potential for transformative change.

Part 4: Methods and Tools

This section provides an overview of different participatory research methods, including dialogic and deliberative processes, digital technologies, participatory forms of action-oriented research, and visual and creative methods. It discusses the advantages and limitations of each method, as well as how they can be used to engage diverse populations and promote social change. The section also highlights the importance of using a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods, to capture a comprehensive understanding of the research.

Part 4.1: Dialogic and Deliberative Processes

This section explores dialogic and deliberative processes as participatory research methods, emphasizing their role in promoting democratic participation, building consensus, and developing collective solutions. It discusses the use of dialogue, deliberation, and consensus-building techniques to engage participants in meaningful conversations and decision-making processes. The section also highlights the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for dialogue and deliberation, and the role of facilitators in promoting participant engagement and empowerment.

Part 4.2: Digital Technologies in Participatory Research

This section discusses the use of digital technologies in participatory research, including social media, online platforms, and mobile devices. It explores how digital technologies can be used to facilitate communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among participants, as well as how they can be used to collect and analyze data. The section also highlights the challenges and ethical considerations associated with using digital technologies in participatory research, such as privacy, security, and accessibility.

Part 4.3: Participatory Forms of Action-Oriented Research

This section explores participatory forms of action-oriented research, emphasizing their role in promoting social change and addressing complex social problems. It discusses the use of action research, participatory action research, and co-design approaches to engage participants in the research process and develop practical solutions to their problems. The section also highlights the importance of reflexivity, self-awareness, and ongoing learning in participatory action-oriented research, as well as the challenges of working with diverse populations and contexts.

Part 4.4: Visual and Creative Methods

This section explores the use of visual and creative methods in participatory research, including photography, video, art, and storytelling. It discusses how these methods can be used to capture the experiences and perspectives of participants, as well as how they can be used to promote social change and raise awareness. The section also highlights the importance of using these methods in a culturally sensitive and ethical manner, and the potential for these methods to reach a wider audience.

Conclusion

This SAGE Handbook presents contemporary, cutting-edge approaches to participatory research and inquiry, designed for researchers, professionals, and activists engaged in interventions and action for social transformation. It offers an overview of different influences on participatory research, explores critical issues and design effective participatory research processes, and provides detailed accounts of various participatory research methods. By drawing upon a wide range of disciplines and featuring contributions from authors around the world, this Handbook appeals to an international readership across social sciences, including social policy, development studies, geography, sociology, criminology, political science, health and social care, education, psychology, business, and management. It serves as an insightful and practical resource for facilitators, community workers, and activists seeking to promote social change.

Weight: 2366g
Dimension: 263 x 210 x 75 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526440501