Windows of understanding: broadening access to knowledge production through participatory action research

Abstract

This article presents a participatory research project involving immigrant organizations and professional parenting support services in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The project combined local development aims with co-generative knowledge and mutual learning to produce socially and scientifically relevant knowledge. By using participatory components as 'windows of understanding' in a broader non-participatory research, previously excluded perspectives were included in knowledge production, while also producing local change. An analysis of the challenges and positive outcomes offers a methodological reflection that can contribute to future developments in participatory action research (PAR).

Information discernment, mis-information and pro-active scepticism

“…Taking a PAR approach allowed the participants to recognize their own frame of understanding as well as the frame divergence between their fellow participants. (Ponzoni, 2016). As well as the benefit to the assessment used in the Case Study, raised levels of self-efficacy and understanding of the nature and diversity of information is a transferable skill that will continue to be of benefit beyond the project.…”

“…A toolkit was constructed and tested in-situ using Participatory Action Research (PAR), (Ponzoni, 2016) with an initial case study of 16-18 year old students in a UK school. Ozer (2017 p1.)…”

Using Comic-Style Posters for Engaging Participants and for Promoting Researcher Reflexivity

“…The research project was based on a pragmatist approach (Poppa, Guillermin, & Dedeurwaerdere, 2015), that is, our aim was not only to contribute to advancing theory (see Darnhofer, Lamine, Strauss, & Navarette, 2016) but also to give back to the community (see Ponzoni, 2016). For participants, results are most useful if provided soon after data collection.…”

Participation & (Re)settlement : envisioning mobile services with young forced migrants

“…Laoire (2015) carried out a study targeting young migrants in Ireland with returning Irish families. Ponzoni (2015) conducted a research project with an immigration organization and parenting support services in Amsterdam. The PaKoMi-study (von Unger, 2012) is another example.…”

“…Similar to PD, participatory research has also been used to work with vulnerable communities (Ponzoni, 2015;Laoire, 2015;von Unger, 2012). PR is described in the literature as a way to gain deeper and better understanding of the targeted group while bringing them on board as research partners (Bergold and Thomas, 2012).…”