Participatory research methods: people with learning difficulties

Richardson, Malcolm

doi:10.12968/bjon.1997.6.19.1114

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Often the researcher was the only beneficiary. Participatory methodology on the other hand ( Brechin 1993, French 1993b, Swain 1995, French & Swain 1997, Richardson 1997) aims to minimize the potentially oppressive nature of disability research ( Hunt 1981, Barton & Clough 1995, Barnes 1996, Bury 1996). Participants are involved in the research production and the researcher engages with their struggles on issues of power.…”

Section: The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

How we live: participatory research with six people with learning difficulties

Richardson

2000

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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Drawing from the Social Model of disability, six people with learning difficulties participated over 18 months in researching their own lived experiences. The method involved weekly group discussions supplemented by participant observation. The study's value stems from in-depth inquiry, which included the participants in the data collection, analysis, dissemination and consequences that they found meaningful. The participants lived in nurse managed community homes. They described how they had faced social and economic exclusion, for example, concerning marriage, child rearing and decently paid employment. With the assistance of nursing staff, the participants had overcome many other social barriers and were enjoying a wide range of activities and choices. Consequently, the participants lived varied lives which they described as interesting and worthwhile. Contemporary models of nursing had successfully directed nursing staff to support 'ordinary living'. However, some disabling assumptions were evident within contemporary nursing. Hence, models of nursing and service delivery were helping both to create lifestyles that the participants valued, whilst simultaneously contributing to their disempowerment.

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Section: The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

How we live: participatory research with six people with learning difficulties

Richardson

2000

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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“…Since many of these may be unknown to the researcher, assumptions are both identified and challenged ( Anderson 1991, Lowenberg 1993, Allan 1997). For example, it is important that researchers examine their personal motivations for undertaking research ( Richardson 1997a).…”

Section: What Is Reflexivity?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Richardson (1997a p. 1115) makes an important point when he notes that although nurse researchers are well positioned to research the disabling effects of health care they may:…”

Section: Why Is Reflexivity Particularly Important For Nurses Undertamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It could be argued that in using a reflexive journal researchers are engaging in a critical dialogue with themselves. Richardson (1997a), however, suggests that there is also a need for ‘critical friends’ who can challenge the self‐deceptions of researchers. It would appear that even if, as individuals, we seek to adopt a reflexive stance there may be areas of our personal values, motivations and actions which remain hidden to us.…”

Section: How Might Reflexivity Be Promoted?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Disability, nursing research and the importance of reflexivity

Northway

2000

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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Reflexivity has been viewed as a way of promoting quality within the research process. Its importance is highlighted in both the literature concerning nursing research and that which relates to disability research. However, whilst disabled people comprise a key client group for nurses the need for nurse researchers working in this field to adopt a reflexive approach to their work has not been explored in depth. In this paper the relevance of reflexivity to nursing research is discussed and current debates concerning disability research are explored. It is argued that there are particular reasons why it is necessary for nurse researchers to adopt a reflexive approach when focusing on disability. First, there is a need to examine closely the definitions of disability which underpin our research and practice. Second, it is noted that nurse researchers may be viewed as part of a system which disables people with impairments. Finally, it is important to reflect critically upon whose interests are served by such research. Some strategies for promoting reflexivity are also explored. It is concluded that a failure to address these issues via a process of critical reflection may mean that nursing research is viewed as unhelpful by disabled people. This in turn has implications for nursing practice.

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“…However, whilst researchers have started to examine the use of participatory research approaches with people with learning difficulties (for example Cocks & Cockram 1995;Richardson 1997) much of the discussion has focused primarily on the principles that underpin them (Stalker 1998). Less has been written concerning the issues that have been encountered when directly engaging in participatory research (see Lynd 1992;Mitchell 1996;March et al 1997;Stalker 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Engaging in participatory research: some personal reflections

Northway¹

1998

Journal of Learning Disabilities for Nursing, Health, and Socia

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The need for critical self-reflection by researchers engaging in disability research has been widely recognized. However, whilst participatory research approaches are beginning to be used with people with learning difficulties, the literature has tended to focus on the principles underpinning such approaches rather than the practical implications of using them. Therefore, this paper seeks to contribute to this area of knowledge by reflecting on the author's experience of engaging in a research project that has sought to use a participatory approach. The need for critical selfreflection is explored before reflecting on issues of participation and power sharing. Time implications and ambiguity are also explored. It is concluded that researchers have choices about the ways in which they conduct research. However, it is essential that such choices are made in a conscious and self-critical manner.

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Participatory research methods: people with learning difficulties

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

How we live: participatory research with six people with learning difficulties

How we live: participatory research with six people with learning difficulties

Disability, nursing research and the importance of reflexivity

Engaging in participatory research: some personal reflections

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