Participatory Research: Some Views and Experiences

This paper starts with a critical review of conventional research methodologies, such as the social survey and ethnographic research and their limitations and biases. It then discusses the main features of alternative research methodologies, such as conscientising and participatory research and their rationale. Part two of the paper provides a detailed account of Urban Research Centre's (URC) work on participatory research and action which emphasises understanding people's situations, institutions and perspectives and supporting them. Researchers involved in participatory research have to find new ways of collecting information involving people and disseminating it at the community level so that research can benefit both the researcher and the community.