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Time for review: supporting the work of an advisory group
Author(s) -
Porter Jill,
Parsons Sarah,
Robertson Christopher
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of research in special educational needs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 1471-3802
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-3802.2006.00055.x
Subject(s) - public relations , work (physics) , dissemination , project commissioning , information and communications technology , advisory committee , process (computing) , inclusion (mineral) , sociology , publishing , political science , knowledge management , engineering , social science , public administration , computer science , mechanical engineering , law , operating system
This paper raises methodological issues about the challenges and dilemmas of inclusive research practices reflecting on the work of an advisory group carrying out research on using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance community participation. The interests of three parties can be identified – the commissioning agent, the researchers and the researched – and these interplayed throughout the course of the research determining the outcomes. Given the relationship between inclusive research and advocacy, there were particular gains in enabling the voice of the advisory group to shape the way in which the research was conducted and to disseminate the findings both within the organisation and beyond. However, the fragility of these new structures required organisational changes for the research to be truly empowering. The experience of the group suggests the need for their involvement at all stages of the research process.