Promoting reciprocal relationships—examining the ‘give and take’ in Social Science research

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on how international Social Work research can respond to critiques of western Social Science research with Third World women. Drawing on recent fieldwork experiences with young women in Mozambique, it examines the power relationships that are inherent in the ‘give and take’ between researchers and participants. Questions such as ‘who gave what?’ and ‘who took what?’ are at the forefront of its concerns. Although the research resulted in minimal material benefit for the participants, the two-way exchange documented builds a more complex picture than one in which participants do all of the ‘giving’ and researchers all the ‘taking’. The paper concludes by suggesting that while the ‘Southern’ context compels particular attention to the ‘give and take’ relationship, it is also pertinent to ‘Northern’ contexts.