Participatory research: Top 10 Tips

Based on our experience in CES of planning and carrying out participative research, here are some points we believe it is helpful to consider. 

Preparing and planning for the research   

1. Clearly define the aims, objectives, and values of the research at the beginning. Share, discuss and agree these with participants. This will set ground rules and ensure everyone is on board. This will also inform the ethical guidelines for the research.  

2. Co-design and collaboration are critical to ensuring a firm foundation is established for true participation. Consider what this means in practice and the values to uphold, including compassion, respect, inclusion, equity and diversity.  

Engaging in the research  

3. True participation is only possible when the engagement plans work for those who are sharing their experiences. Consider the scheduling of research activities, methods and locations for the research to make sure these work for everyone. Work to involve participants as much as possible in the research phases – design, data collection, analysis, dissemination and sharing stories of the research.  

4. Shared understanding of language and topics under research is necessary to ensure that everyone involved understands what is being explored through the     research. Through discussion tease out any ambiguity or confusion to ensure a shared understanding of the language, concepts and methods used.  

5. Research methods and decision-making will depend on the needs and circumstances of those whose lives and experiences are being researched.  

6. Balance of power must be considered as true participative research involves co-design and a shared distribution of responsibilities and shared decision-making.  

7. Boundaries must be understood, along with agreed ways to keep, contest, and negotiate boundaries throughout the research. This promotes equal participation, a recognition of roles and contributions and agreed ways of working together.  

8. Expect the unexpected and be open to unforeseen changes in the research plans, for example, when participants need to opt out/ take a break/ step back.     Flexibility and agility are good and necessary skills to have when embarking on participatory research.  

 Sharing and learning from the research

9. Knowledge transfer is a two-way process between researchers and research participants. Specific training and support may be required to enable the research team to engage with a particular research sample or topic.  

10. Sharing the research findings by involving participants in the preparation and dissemination of research findings and ensure that all those who contributed are acknowledged and all research outputs and outcomes are shared. One example is to ensure participants are actively involved in any launches or public sharing of research findings.