Aspects Of Participatory Research Research Articles

Participatory practices and transforming environmental research in the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene, the so-called Age of Humans, challenges the realm of environmental research to reflect on and ultimately change its premises and practices. As ecological change occurs asynchronously and unevenly, it has highly divergent consequences for different actors and communities depending on their social, cultural, geographical or economic backgrounds. To adequately deal with this disparity it is needed firstly to enter into new fields of research and secondly to alter scientific practices. Focusing on natural history museums as sites of knowledge production and environmental research, we look at past and ongoing inequalities in environmental collection practices, and propose a path of reform via participatory practices. In our paper, we identify three aspects of participatory research and collecting practices to stimulate an evolution of environmental research practices, and highlight current research projects that face these challenges in the following sections: 1. Rethinking and transforming language and naming practices, 2. Multiperspectival practices, 3. Entanglement and digital practices.

Intervention fidelity in participatory research: a framework

ABSTRACTIn community interventions more generally, the concept of fidelity refers to the degree to which a program is delivered as intended. The present paper discusses ways in which fundamental aspects of participatory research challenge the concept of fidelity and differ from more traditional science-dominated approaches. We begin with a discussion of the fidelity concept and some of its strengths and limitations. We then discuss both social problems and proposed solutions as representing complex problems defying simple or permanent solutions. We suggest that three prominent aspects of participatory research highlight this complexity and pose challenges in assessing fidelity. First, in participatory research, the goal is not only scientific but also social action on a local issue as well. Second, the participatory process among varied partners is itself part of the intervention itself to be understood as affecting both processes and outcomes. Third, the goals of participatory research include community-level as well as individual-level changes. These issues are illustrated in a discussion of how culture is conceptualized and acknowledged in fidelity assessment. We conclude with some recommendations for approaching fidelty in participatory research in a way that appreciates its differences from more traditional paradigms underlying community interventions.

Workshop: Better ask those who are concerned: co-creation in participatory epidemiology and health promotion

Abstract Objectives The hallmark of participatory research is the establishment of equitable research partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders such as public health professionals, health activists and community representatives. This includes co-creation as a guiding principle that informs several aspects of the research process. Originally, co-creation is a concept from management science and software design and is focused on achieving synergistic effects through user participation in design processes. Co-creation in participatory epidemiology and health promotion aims to improve the life of those who are subjects of research by giving them a stake how studies are carried out, respectively how health promoting services, programmes or products are designed and provided. However, implementing and realizing co-creation is challenging. Participation asks for a systematic reflection of underlying power relations in the research process through dialog, recursive methods of understanding, and joint planning. This skills building seminar will present relevant co-creation concepts and methods. Additionally, illustrative examples from research practice are provided and will outline ways for implementing co-creation in the context of participatory epidemiology and health promotion. The seminar starts with a brief introduction on epistemological principles and ethical norms of participatory health research and state of the art definitions of co-creation. This presentation is followed by an introduction of how co-creation is impacting epidemiological research with regard to several aspects of the research process. Next, a project is presented in which co-creation informed the development of a virtual reality game in the field of alcohol prevention. Finally, participants will be split in two groups to have the opportunity to share thoughts on certain aspects of participatory research and co-creation in a poster discussion. More specifically, we aim to discuss: Does co-creation differ in the contexts of participatory epidemiology and health promotion? And if so how?What is needed to realize co-creation processes in practice? The seminar targets everyone working in the field of population health monitoring and health promotion. The timetable is as follows: Introduction, principles and definitions (15 min), participatory epidemiology and co-creation (15 min), co-designing in prevention and health promotion (15 min), poster discussions (30 min), plenary discussion and roundup (15 min). Main messages Co-creation is a way to improve the relevance of research findings, services and products for public health practice and the involved communities.Co-creation processes are vital to embrace the creativity of users and to ensure relevance and community ownership for health promotion programmes and services. Key messages Co-creation is a way to improve the relevance of research findings and products for various stakeholders. Co-creation is vital to embrace users’ creativity and to ensure community ownership.

Commentary on “A critical reflection on the development of the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC)”

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the wider impact of participatory research (PR) on the autistic academic, families and caregivers, and the researcher. Design/methodology/approach This commentary considers participatory methods from the perspective of an autistic female with experience on both sides of PR. Findings The positive aspects of PR outweigh the potential challenges faced, both by the researchers and the participants. Participatory methods are likely to increase the attractiveness of the research to participants. Originality/value Further research is required to explore both the impact PARC’s work has on the autistic academic in the long term, and whether it can yield similar results in alternative areas. In addition to this, consideration needs to be given as to whether the methodologies developed can be used to support a wider range of disabled individuals who are not currently able to access higher education.

A Scoping Review of Participatory Action Research to Promote Mental Health and Resilience in Youth and Adolescents

Mental health and resilience are closely connected to issues of power and voice. Participatory action research (PAR) describes participatory approaches in research, where all parties are ideally involved in the knowledge creation, as collaborators and co-researchers in the research process. The authors conducted a scoping review and explored ten scientific data bases to understand how PAR studies promote participation of youth in studies of mental health and resilience. Analyses of n = 54 studies revealed the target populations, types of youth related methods, and the authentic involvement of youth and adolescents in stages of PAR. While many studies embraced the concepts of engagement in active research processes from inception to action, only 17 include youth on boards, 18 in preparation stage and 28 in data collection and/or analysis. The findings emphasize the potential of PAR to realize the voice of youth in all aspects of participatory research.