Participatory research and theoretical lenses

Abstract

Participatory research (PR) refers to a distinction ideology of social research and social life, what Orlando Fals Borda coins as vivéncia (human forms of social life). PR has its close association with social transformation in the Third World. The foundations of PR lie in liberation theology and neo-Marxist approaches to community development (in Latin America), as well as liberal origins in human rights activism (in Asia). PR is distinctive from traditional research in three ways. It embraces community-based investigation of social issues, shared ownership of research programs, and community action. PR embraces the socially constructed nature of knowledge. PR is based on some theoretical traditions including, but not limited to, critical pedagogy and feminism that advocate a strong desire for the elimination of social inequalities in societies. However, like any other research approach, PR is also situated within some theoretical lenses that can explain the intrinsic experience in specific contexts. This chapter discusses salient theoretical frameworks that can be adopted in participatory research. In particular, it will focus on traditional theories including critical pedagogy, experiential knowledge, and feminism. It will also include discussions of some contemporary theories that PR practitioners can draw on in their research including decolonizing methodology, cultural humility, and healing methodology. It is argued that these contemporary theories are crucial at the time of crisis encountered in the world at present.