Development research serves different purposes – from informing policy-making on a macro level, to conducting large scale poverty assessments of countries and regions, and planning, managing, evaluating and impact assessment of development projects and programs. Since the 1970s, participatory research methods have become increasingly important in this field. Whereas initially they were used to inform project practice on the micro-level, they are now also used to inform policy making and enhance governance. “They moved from the margins of development practice to the very heart of development mainstream” (Mikkelsen 2005: 58).
Participatory research can be seen as the methodological basis of participatory development. However, there is ongoing debate on whom those methods inform – the instrumental practice of aid/ governmental agencies (‘participation as means’) or the local communities themselves, providing them with the means to conduct their development (‘participation as end’). This ambiguity is the main reason why a coherent definition of participatory development and research does not exist. The notion 'participatory' is blurred and definitions differ widely. Common to most definitions is the view that an active involvement of stakeholders will enhance development research and projects. An important advantage of participatory research is seen in the deeper insight into local life and needs. Chapter 2 of this paper will outline the different aspects of the concept and will discuss good and bad practices in participatory research, paying particular attention to the conflict between participation as means and as end.
The wider scope of current participatory research led to the need for valid and robust data gathered through participative research methods which raises the question for the representat¬iveness of participatory gathered data. Chambers claims that participatory research can provide the “best of both worlds” (2001: 25) – as it meets the requirements of deeper holistic insight represented by qualitative research and representativeness, represented by quantitative approaches. In Chapter 3 the scope of qualitative and quantitative approaches and to which extent Chambers claim is cogent will be discussed.
Having analysed participation from those different analytical perspectives, this paper will argue that participation is a contested field and cannot meet expectations from all competing interests.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Participatory research – good and bad practices.
- Participatory research – history and principles
- Principles of RRA/ PRA as good practices
- Criticisms of participatory research and bad practises
- The best of both worlds - representativeness and insight
- Qualitative vs. quantitative methods – insight vs. representativeness
- Participatory research - best of both worlds?
- Conclusion - participation, a contested field
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the concept of participatory research, focusing on its potential and pitfalls. It aims to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of participatory approaches in development research, particularly in relation to their ability to achieve both representativeness and insight. The key themes explored include:- The history and principles of participatory research, including its emergence as a response to limitations in conventional research.
- The distinction between participation as a means to improve research and participation as an end in itself, empowering local communities.
- The tension between qualitative and quantitative methods in participatory research and their relative strengths in generating insight and representativeness.
- The challenges and limitations of participatory approaches in practice, including issues of power dynamics, representation, and the potential for manipulation.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction
This chapter introduces the purpose and significance of development research, highlighting the growing prominence of participatory methods. The paper examines the evolving role of participatory research, from informing project practice to influencing policy-making and enhancing governance. The chapter also discusses the ambiguity surrounding the concept of "participation," particularly the distinction between participation as a means to improve research and participation as an end that empowers local communities.Participatory research – good and bad practices.
This chapter traces the historical development of participatory research, outlining its emergence as a response to perceived shortcomings in traditional research methods. It explores the core principles of Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), emphasizing their strengths in capturing local knowledge and facilitating community-driven development. The chapter also examines critiques of participatory research, highlighting potential pitfalls such as bias, power imbalances, and the risk of manipulation.The best of both worlds - representativeness and insight
This chapter explores the interplay between qualitative and quantitative research methods, discussing their relative contributions to generating insights and achieving representativeness. It examines Chambers' assertion that participatory research can offer "the best of both worlds" by providing both deep, holistic insights and representative data. The chapter analyzes the extent to which participatory approaches can effectively bridge the gap between these two research paradigms.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on key concepts such as participatory research, development research, good and bad practices, representation, insight, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, empowerment, and local communities. The paper examines the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of participatory approaches in development research, exploring their potential for enhancing research outcomes and empowering local communities.- Arbeit zitieren
- Cynthia Dittmar (Autor:in), 2008, Good and bad practice in participatory research, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131934
