Including students as co-enquirers: Matters of identity, agency, language and labelling in an International participatory research study. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gibson, Suanne; Baskerville, Delia; Berry, Ann; Black, Alison; Norris, Kathleen; Symeonidou, Simoni
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 81(2017)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: Participatory research -- Co-researchers -- Inclusive education -- Diversity -- Identity; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2016.11.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Highlights: The complexities of participatory research methodology. Participants as co-researchers. Agency and clarifying roles in research. Communication and language in research. Research for inclusion and diversity. Abstract: This paper takes the reader through the methodological development of an international study, which involved 8 academics and 373 students in Departments of Education from 6 universities in Europe, New Zealand and the USA. It explores the uses, benefits and critical tensions within participatory research methodology when used in a study addressing questions of undergraduate student diversity and inclusion. Issues when linking the views and interests of the various project parties, a core element of participatory research, are considered. Alongside this is a discussion on how this led to shifts in participant role identities, a reconfiguration of research ownership and insights into the complexities of participants' education. The work addresses a niche area in terms of participants as co-researchers, in particular matters of identity, agency, language and labelling, thus adding to developments in this field.