Research as freedom: using a continuum of interactive, participatory and emancipatory methods for addressing youth marginality
SOURCE: HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2018
TITLE AUTHOR(S): S.Swartz, A.Nyamnjoh
KEYWORDS: PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH, RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, SOCIAL INCLUSION
DEPARTMENT: Equitable Education and Economies (IED)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 10566
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/12781
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/12781
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2018
TITLE AUTHOR(S): S.Swartz, A.Nyamnjoh
KEYWORDS: PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH, RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, SOCIAL INCLUSION
DEPARTMENT: Equitable Education and Economies (IED)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 10566
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/12781
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/12781
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
This article offers an analysis of a continuum along which interactive, participatory and emancipatory inquiries may be placed in critical qualitative research with a social justice focus. It draws on critical distinctions to make the argument that labelling research 'participatory' hides both interactive approaches and those that might be seen to be emancipatory in the vein of Paolo Freire and Stanley Biggs. To support the argument for a continuum of engaged research, four recent research studies from South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria and Sierra Leone that address youth marginality and views on an array of topics are discussed with a view to articulating divergences and convergences in approaches. Included are considerations around adapting research for specific audiences and participants, the location of power, research ethics, as well as the demystification and democratisation of knowledge ownership and generation, and the nature of collaboration. The article offers tentative criteria by which research may be located along the suggested continuum and argues that an emancipatory approach, whilst being key to bringing about change or freedom, is a difficult but not impossible aim to achieve in research.-
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