Participatory Research

Participatory Research Methods seek the direct involvement of those who are either the subjects of or are affected by the research in question in the research process itself. This can include the development of the research agenda and the applications of results as well as the research practice. Such methods include Action Research, Ethnographic Action Research and Participatory Research. They are particularly common in research related to international development, including practically oriented research initiated by funding and delivery bodies.  They are seen as having the potential to make research more accountable and more relevant to those it affects and to make it more likely that policies and services developed through such research will be effective, given their early exposure to the social contexts of application and, arguably, their popular legitimacy.