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Maculate Conceptions: Power, Process, and Creativity in Participatory Research
Author(s) -
Lyon Alexandra,
Bell Michael,
Croll Nora Swan,
Jackson Randall,
Gratton Claudio
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
rural sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.083
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1549-0831
pISSN - 0036-0112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1549-0831.2010.00030.x
Subject(s) - dialogic , transformative learning , sociology , participatory action research , citizen journalism , power (physics) , process (computing) , participant observation , negotiation , set (abstract data type) , ethnography , public relations , power structure , social science , political science , computer science , pedagogy , programming language , quantum mechanics , anthropology , law , operating system , physics
A bstract Justifiably concerned about power dynamics between researchers and participants in participatory research, much of the literature proposes guidelines for including participant voices at every step of the research process. We find these guidelines insufficient for dealing with constraints set up by the social organizational structures in which researchers and participants find themselves. We argue that the process of building relationships between scientists and farmers is unavoidably imperfect, but nonetheless necessary and rewarding. We contend that the potential problems of participatory research originate more from the social organizational structures in which it takes place than in failure to follow particular rules. By acknowledging these structures and the resultant interests of participant and researcher we can make room for the messy reality of negotiating participatory relationships. We suggest that transformative engagement can be born of what we term the “maculate conceptions” of dialogic process and the building of mutual trust.