Advancing social change in South Africa through transformative research. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mertens, Donna M.
• Is Part Of: South African review of sociology. Volume 47:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: transformative research -- human rights -- social justice -- violence -- poverty; Sociology -- South Africa -- Periodicals; South Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Sociology -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Social conditions; Sociology; South Africa; Periodicals; 301.096805
• DOI: 10.1080/21528586.2015.1131622
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2152-8586

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The role of researchers in a context of adversity can be expanded in ways that increase their ability to contribute to positive social change. By using a transformative mixed methods approach to research, social transformation is built into the research process by framing research in a human rights and social justice way that supports community-based action to solve problems. Examples from South Africa and elsewhere illustrate the application of the transformative paradigm to research and on-going challenges that researchers face in addressing so-called wicked problems, such as human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/Aids), violence and poverty.