Examples Of Participatory Research Research Articles

Dams, dams and more dams: Issues in evaluating business cases for dam expansion in Australia

Abstract Conventional interventions for mitigating flood risk and increasing water security often focus on large-scale engineering solutions despite evidence of significant cost overruns and negative environmental impacts. This study is an example of participatory research in water economics, motivated (and requested) by concerns from downstream communities and Indigenous stakeholders that impacts of a proposed dam upgrade and storage increase were not adequately considered. We reviewed the preliminary benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of the proposed AUD$2.1 billion investment to expand the Wyangala Dam in Australia and conducted a new BCA incorporating downstream community perspectives. The original economic analysis favoured the proposed investment, but it underestimated costs and overestimated benefits. Our economic analysis was complemented with a qualitative analysis of downstream community perspectives, plus a quantitative analysis indicating that project costs were underestimated by a minimum of 116%. In comparison, benefits were overestimated by 56%. Neglecting the potential impact of climate change also severely overestimated the original benefit-cost ratio. Based on our calculations, expanding the dam was unlikely to yield a net social benefit. In 2023, a new government decided the dam expansion was too expensive. We recommend policymakers prioritise independent evaluations and community engagement for BCAs on large-scale water infrastructure projects to ensure equitable investment decisions that maximise social welfare and adequate environmental assessment.

Multiplatform web app (My Way Up) plus motivational interviewing for improving treatment retention in patients with onset of alcohol-related liver disease and alcohol use disorder - an example of participatory research.

With the aim of improving treatment retention in patients with the onset of alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD), we designed a blended intervention (brief motivational intervention + 'serious game' (SG)). We present the participatory design methodology and outcomes and the usability assessment of the intervention. (1) The design of the SG was based on the outcomes of two 3-h co-creation sessions with 37 participants (healthcare and technology professionals, patients, and patients' relatives). The brief face-to-face motivational intervention was based on the 5 As Model and adapted to the ArLD population. (2) Usability pilot study: 20 participants (10 ArLD patients + 10 healthcare professionals) received the intervention. System Usability Scale (SUS) and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) were applied to assess the SG usability and patients' satisfaction with it. Weekly semi-structured interviews on the phone were conducted to identify the preferred elements in the SG and those aspects that should be improved. (1) Design: an SG in the form of a gamified web app, consisting of a daily activity for six weeks and adapted brief motivational interviewing. (2) Usability pilot study: usability results were excellent for both patients and healthcare professionals (SUS median score = 85). The general usability, the quality of the information provided by the SG and the quality of the interface were very positively rated in the PSSUQ (overall median score = 2, IQR = 1-2). The best-rated aspects were the provision of feedback, the use of metaphors and the application of audiovisual material. Changes in the design, response mechanics and content were applied after the study. The usability and acceptability of an intervention for increasing retention to treatment in patients with recent onset of ArLD and AUD were excellent for patients and healthcare professionals. A randomized-controlled trial is required to test the efficacy of this approach.

Evaluating the Extent of Participation of People Living With Dementia in Research

Most research about dementia consults with carers, community workers, nurses or other health professionals, but rarely with people living with dementia (PLWD). This paper investigates why this is the case and documents the extent to which dementia research includes those with lived experience. We searched for studies reported in academic articles focussing on dementia that described using participatory methods. Approximately half of the studies we found were excluded because the purpose of the research was commercial (developing apps or other products) and comprised only superficial product testing with PLWD rather than seeking any insight into their lived experience. Other studies were excluded because for various reasons, most significantly not meeting the definition of participatory methodology we adopted from Cornwall and Jewkes (1995). Ultimately only 27 academic articles were included in the analysis. In each of these studies the seven stages of research we identified (conception; design; participant recruitment; data collection; analysis; validation and knowledge translation) were evaluated for participatory methods. We found only one study which undertook participatory methodology in all stages which was the intended purpose of the research. We found that recruiting research participants, undertaking data analysis or validation with PLWD was seldom done and conceiving the study with PLWD was the rarest of all. In most studies we identified that participatory research was limited to only two or three research phases: data collection scored highest, then dissemination of data and then design. We found that participatory research with PLWD was not often considered possible and that rationales for the lack of consultation, when given, were largely ethical, or because of resource and time constraints. We found however that certain environments and approaches were more hospitable to PLWD involvement. This article describes exemplary examples of participatory research in different stages of the research processes, documents the strategies used to enhance participation and recommends increasing participatory methodology so as to better understand the perspectives and insights of PLWD making assessments and recommendations more effective.

Exploring alternatives: children’s participation in Critical Sexuality Education in India

ABSTRACT This paper is based on a larger doctoral study about Critical Sexuality Education with children in Delhi, India. It puts forth alternate research and pedagogic interventions, inspired by the ‘real’ world, to engage children on ideas about sexuality beyond the biological. After presenting a brief overview of political debates and state programmes about sex/uality education in recent years in India, I go on to detail two examples of Participatory Research with girls at a Shelter Home for street children. These involve spatial mapping of their neighbourhood and interviewing a woman E-rickshaw driver. The children-researchers collaborated with the researcher-facilitator to pose questions about gender, violence, equity, access, social justice and so on, vis-à-vis their own lived experiences and social realities.

The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (2008\u20132018)\u2014rationale, design, methods and lessons learned

ObjectiveTo describe the rationale, the participatory nature of the methodology, and the lessons learned during the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES), a community-based participatory research project implemented in eight Assembly of First Nations regions, which includes the entirety of Canada south of the 60th parallel.MethodsFNFNES respected the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®) (https://fnigc.ca/ocap). A random sampling strategy based on an ecosystem framework comprising 11 ecozones was adopted to collect representative nutritional and environmental health results for all First Nations adults living on-reserve south of the 60th parallel. Data collection occurred during the fall months from 2008 to 2016. Respective First Nations were involved in the planning and implementation of data collection for the five principal components: household interviews, tap water sampling for metals, surface water sampling for pharmaceuticals, hair sampling for mercury, and traditional food sampling for contaminants.ResultsA total of 6487 adults from 92 First Nations participated in the Study (participation rate 78%). A higher percentage of females (66%) participated than males (34%). The average age of males and females was similar (44 and 45 years, respectively). This study offers a novel body of coherent and regionally representative evidence on the human dimension of the ongoing environmental degradation affecting First Nations.ConclusionFNFNES serves as a good example of participatory research. We encourage public health professionals to develop policy and programs building on the participatory dimension of the research as well as on its results. The information collected by the FNFNES is also important for community empowerment, environmental stewardship and the general promotion of good health by and for First Nations peoples in Canada.

Citizen Social Science. The example of participatory research with young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)

Citizen Social Science. The example of participatory research with young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)

The forgotten example of 'settlement sociology': Gender, research, communities, universities and policymaking in Britain and the USA, 1880–1920

Many of the social investigations carried out in social settlements established in Britain and the USA in the period from the 1880s to the 1920s are early examples of participatory research based on a theory of knowledge with 'citizen experience' at its centre. This research, much of it done by women, was often methodologically innovative and enormously influential in shaping public policy. Its history is bound up with that of disciplinary specialization, in which women's research and reform work have been classified, and thus hidden, as 'social work'.

Patient-Centered Participatory Research in Three Health Clinics: Benefits, Challenges, and Lessons Learned.

Research informed by individuals' lived experiences is a critical component of participatory research and nursing interventions for health promotion. Yet, few examples of participatory research in primary care settings with adolescents and young adults exist, especially with respect to their sexual health and health-risk behaviors. Therefore, we implemented a validated patient-centered clinical assessment tool to improve the quality of communication between youth patients and providers, sexual risk assessment, and youths' health-risk perception to promote sexual health and reduce health-risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults in three community health clinic settings, consistent with national recommendations as best practices in adolescent health care. We describe guiding principles, benefits, challenges, and lessons learned from our experience. Improving clinical translation of participatory research requires consideration of the needs and desires of key stakeholders (e.g., providers, patients, and researchers) while retaining flexibility to successfully navigate imperfect, real-world conditions.

Photovoice as a Tool for Social Justice Workers

This article considers the use of Photovoice as a tool for social justice workers. Photovoice is a technique that affords diverse populations of oppressed individuals the opportunity to take social action by raising awareness in the community and with policy-makers through use of a photographic process. The theoretical underpinnings, goals, and uses of Photovoice are reviewed in relation to social work contexts and values. In addition, the inclusion of empowerment theory and group work literature is explored as a natural expansion of the current theoretical underpinnings. Photovoice is a prime example of participatory research, assessment, and social action. The relevance of Photovoice to social work theory and practice is considered and possibilities for use as an integrated practice tool are explained.

Appraising and Funding Participatory Research in Health Promotion

Participatory action research combines research, education and social action. Each of these elements reflects health education research and practice. Indeed, health education, health promotion and participatory research have converged in these respects. Participatory research is well suited to the philosophies and theories underpinning community-based health education and health promotion. The nature of participatory research is such that funding agencies, especially those awarding research funds, tend to be challenged in their attempts to assess proposals. This is true at least for those agencies operating under traditional criteria for reviewing standards, which may not be appropriate for participatory research. As well, it may reflect a broader lack of common understanding about the processes and expectations, the apparent untidiness of projects (comparing with traditional research) which by their nature offer no standard methods, deadlines, procedures or predetermined outcome measures. The Study of Participatory Research in Health Promotion [1], commissioned by the Royal Society of Canada, attempted to clarify the topic by providing a working definition and a set of guidelines for use by funding agencies when appraising projects purporting to be participatory research. The guidelines emphasize how the nominal ways of conducting health research in populations need to adapt to meet the educational and policy expectations of participatory research. The study also examined current practical examples of participatory research in the field of health promotion in Canada. This summary of the results of the project provides detailed guidelines flowing from a review of experience in the field and consultation with groups engaged in participatory research.

Listening to the views of people affected by cancer about cancer research: an example of participatory research in setting the cancer research agenda

The study 'Listening to the Views of People Affected by Cancer About Cancer Research' is currently exploring the views people affected by cancer have about cancer research and identifying their research priorities. Integral to this is the broader aim of ensuring an effective, collaborative participation of patients and carers in the design and conduct of the study. On the basis of experiences with the study to date, the latter is explored in this paper. The study adopts a 'participatory research' approach entailing the formation of a 'reference group' and a subsequent patient and carer co-researcher group. Patient and carer members of these groups were identified through the patient forums of UK cancer networks and by approaching 'hard to reach' representatives directly through community groups and participating study sites. Experiences from this study illustrate that a 'participatory research' approach is appropriate in engaging patients and carers in the research process. Establishing a group of people affected by cancer in the study was found to be particularly effective in enhancing the design and conduct of the research. 'Participatory research' offers an effective means of involving patients and carers throughout the research process, thus strengthening the relevance and appropriateness of research findings and methods.

Occupational Therapy and Participatory Research: A Partnership Worth Pursuing

This paper argues that participatory research is an approach to developing knowledge that can make significant contributions to occupational therapy. One project, working with older adults in Toronto to organize a new seniors' organization, is used to illustrate the ways in which this approach is participatory and how it can be understood as research. Other examples of participatory research from the occupational therapy literature are then presented. These include research among occupational therapists and research with participants who are typically clients of occupational therapy services. The examples are used to illustrate the conceptual links between client-centered, occupation-based occupational therapy and participatory research. Challenges of adopting a participatory research approach in occupational therapy are discussed, although many of these can be addressed through open discussions with participants. The paper concludes that participatory research is an approach to research that should be pursued more actively in occupational therapy.

(Re)Defining Reproductive Health with and for the Community: An Example of Participatory Research from Mali

Qualitative research was carried out in central Mali to inform the development of curricula for an intervention to improve young people's reproductive health. Both the young people and 'societal gatekeepers' (including religious leaders and traditional healers) perceived reproductive health to comprise the social dynamics in which reproductive health decision-making is embedded and not just the biological aspects of sexual relations and fertility. Their definitions of reproductive health reflected social taboos about pre-marital sex, infidelity and illegitimate children, and comprised holistic notions of bodily and spiritual cleanliness. It is argued that the 'Cairo' definition sees many of the social factors identified by respondents as comprising the context or background of reproductive health. The findings presented here indicate that local populations may see them as integral to the concept itself. It is discussed how the 'Cairo' definition of reproductive health needs to be made culturally specific in order to facilitate programme design and implementation.

Role of trade unions in workplace health promotion.

Since the 19th century, workers have organized in trade unions and parties to strengthen their efforts at improving workplace health and safety, job conditions, working hours, wages, job contracts, and social security. Cooperation between workers and their organizations and professionals has been instrumental in improving regulation and legislation affecting workers' health. The authors give examples of participatory research in occupational health in Denmark and Finland. The social context of workplace health promotion, particularly the role of unions and workers' safety representatives, is described in an international feasibility study. Health promotion is rife with fundamental political, socioeconomic, philosophical, ethical, gender- and ethnicity-related, psychological, and biological problems. Analysis of power and context is crucial, focusing on political systems nationally, regionally, and globally. The authors advocate defending and supporting workers and their trade unions and strengthening their influence on workplace health promotion. In the face of rapid capitalist globalization, unions represent a barricade in defense of workers' health and safety. Health promoters and related professionals are encouraged to support trade unions in their efforts to promote health for workers and other less privileged groups.

Should We Engage in Farmer-Participatory Research in the UK?

Farmer-participatory research has become almost commonplace in many developing countries, but despite the apparent benefits of such a research approach, it has not been widely adopted in the UK or elsewhere in the developed world. This article briefly discusses the differences between participatory research and traditional research philosophies, and then goes on to explore whether or not participatory methods could be useful in the UK situation. It is concluded that no scientific or technical reasons appear to invalidate the use of participatory methods in the UK, and indeed some good examples of participatory research in the area of cooperative livestock breeding do exist. The main barriers to adoption are probably related to the functioning of existing institutions, the difficulty in obtaining funding for such research, and the prevalent attitudes of agricultural researchers (and their evaluators). In the short term, participatory research could be utilized in peripheral rural communities, funded by rural development money, or in other regions funded by agribusiness.

Appraising and Funding Participatory Research in Health Promotion

Participatory action research combines research, education and social action. Each of these elements reflects health education research and practice. Indeed, health education, health promotion and participatory research have converged in these respects. Participatory research is well suited to the philosophies and theories underpinning community-based health education and health promotion. The nature of participatory research is such that funding agencies, especially those awarding research funds, tend to be challenged in their attempts to assess proposals. This is true at least for those agencies operating under traditional criteria for reviewing standards, which may not be appropriate for participatory research. As well, it may reflect a broader lack of common understanding about the processes and expectations, the apparent untidiness of projects (comparing with traditional research) which by their nature offer no standard methods, deadlines, procedures or predetermined outcome measures. The Study of Participatory Research in Health Promotion [1], commissioned by the Royal Society of Canada, attempted to clarify the topic by providing a working definition and a set of guidelines for use by funding agencies when appraising projects purporting to be participatory research. The guidelines emphasize how the normal ways of conducting health research in populations need to adapt to meet the educational and policy expectations of participatory research. The study also examined current practical examples of participatory research in the field of health promotion in Canada. This summary of the results of the project provides detailed guidelines flowing from a review of experience in the field and consultation with groups engaged in participatory research.

Church-based organizing as participatory research: The northwest community organization and the pilsen resurrection project

Participatory research (PR) is a method of social investigation, an educational process and a process of collective action. Few examples of PR in the urban United States currently exist. Church-based community organizing’s process of systematically identifying values and concerns as a way of building relationships based on personal and social knowledge is fundamentally similar to the key characteristics of PR. Two examples of church-based organizing in inner city Chicago neighborhoods are the Northwest Community Organization and the Pilsen resurrection Project. Identification of such church-based organizing efforts as PR may help identify additional urban United States examples of PR, but also raises questions as to the role of the academic and the practical value of PR for community groups.

Guest editor’s introduction: Participatory research, Part II

This second special issue of The American Sociologist on participatory re search expands the scope of topics discussed in Volume 23, Number 4. In that earlier issue we presented papers that discussed the history, theory, and models of participatory research (PR), and provided some examples of PR in practice. In this issue we survey the controversies surrounding PR, looking at how it might fail, conditions under which it becomes more problematic, the risks borne by those who try it, and the shortcomings of our attempts to implement PR in social change projects. The opportunity to explore such a range of issues in such depth occurs at a decisive moment in the practice of social research. A new generation of students disillusioned by the exploitive selfishness of the 1980s has come of age on the college campuses, and is finding itself increasingly drawn to PR study groups and courses at Cornell University, Loyola University, the University of Michigan, and other places. Academics who had risked their very careers for doing participatory rather than "scientific" research and survived have risen to levels of influence in universities across the country. Journals are opening up for those who do PR, not the least of which is The American Sociologist whose editor, Dick Hall, was willing to expand his commitment from a partial issue to two full issues as more and more good papers came in, and has made a continuing commitment to include PR as one of the issues TAS is willing to cover. And the first "Research for Social Action" conference, organized by the Applied Research Center in Oakland?which brought together for the first time activists doing research with researchers, doing activism?wrapped up just days before this writing. This turn toward research models of engagement and purpose such as PR is also at the forefront of the continuing push toward interdisciplinary research. For even in the collection of articles displayed in the pages of this and the previous issue of TAS, are included authors whose formal academic training is not in sociology. The field of PR has become so interdisciplinary and diverse that academic boundaries cannot contain it. But we believe that even those who come to PR outside of sociology should be welcomed into this most interdisciplinary of disciplines. For it is the interdisciplinary nature of sociology, its refusal to