The Participatory Methods website from the Participation, Power and Social Change team at the University of Sussex’s Institute for Development Studies “provides resources to generate ideas and action for inclusive development and social change.” In Module 3, we looked at the topic of indigenous knowledge for development , and how important it is to give real power to local people over decisions that will affect their lives and communities and homes. In development studies, “participation” is the widely used  term that covers the idea of locally based decisions and collaboration. This website is a great introduction to all these “participatory” terms and has links to key resources. It has a particularly interesting section on the importance of defining what we mean by the development buzzword “participation” – and how the term can be applied to methods to mask manipulation as well as those that facilitate real citizen control and transformation.

This website defines participatory research as such:

“In participatory research power is handed over from the researcher to research participants, often local people. They have control over the research agenda, the process and actions. They also analyse and reflect on the information generated in the research process. Empowerment of communities, to bring out local realities and to inform policy and practice are possible purposes of participatory research.”