Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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who designs, carries out and analyses the research whereas participative
approaches ensure that at least some control over the process lies in the
hands of the participants (Diaz & Simmons, 1999). Northway (2010)
recognised that describing a piece of research as 'participatory' can mean
different things for different researchers, and so suggested a number of
common features which can help to distinguish between participatory and
other research approaches:
1. "Centrality of the participant to the research" (pp. 175). The views, thoughts and
opinions of the participant are most important, rather than researcher knowledge or
expertise. Therefore the differing priorities of individuals need to be appropriately
managed throughout the process.
2. "A commitment to changing the balance of power" (pp. 176). Participants need to be
empowered through the process, and thus the power balances within the participating
population are challenged. According to Cornwall and Jewkes (1995) the issues of
power and control are essential in participative research in that it allows active
participation and choice.
3. "A different role for the researcher" (pp. 176). In traditional positivist studies the
researcher takes a detached, objective position throughout the work. In participatory
research however the researcher takes an active role as a committed participant and
facilitator throughout the process.
4. "Participation in all stages of the research process" (pp. 177). Participatory
researchers attempt to include participants in every stage of the research process, from
research question definition and data analysis to the implementation of the research
outcomes. Despite this being the ideal situation, it is often not attainable for a variety
of reasons and so the amount of participation can alter and change throughout the
research process. Indeed it is this that Cornwall and Jewkes (1995) describes as the
most striking difference between participatory and traditional research.
5. "The production of 'useful' knowledge" (pp. 177). Due to the participatory nature of
this type of research, including the bottom-up approach often utilised, the outcomes
will be useful for the employees and overall organisation as a whole.
6. "A commitment to action" (pp. 178). Traditional research has often meant a marked
gap between the usefulness of research outcomes to the researcher in comparison to