The features and processes underpinning high-quality data generation in participatory research and engagement activities
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Participatory approaches are widely used by researchers to gather data and insight about how the environment is perceived, valued and used. The participatory activities may be creating information as part of curiosity-driven blue-skies research or to inform policy/practise decision-making.The quality and usability of data derived from participatory approaches are heavily influenced by how activities are conducted. We share a set of features and processes that underpin the generation of high-quality data, based on our collective experience of developing and undertaking participatory activities with an environmental and conservation focus.We propose four general features: (a) Depth and breadth of engagement; (b) robustness of the approach; (c) allowing space for surprises; (d) usability across contexts. We also provide a practical toolbox of processes, and associated facilitation techniques, which can be employed to maximise participant engagement and generate quality data.The features and processes are a practical guide for project leaders/teams to consider in the context of their work, rather than a set of inflexible rules. They should be relevant regardless of the participatory methods used, or the research, policy or practice setting being addressed.
Date Issued
2022-01-01
Date Acceptance
2021-09-30
Citation
Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2022, 13 (1), pp.68-76
ISSN
2041-210X
Publisher
Wiley Open Access
Start Page
68
End Page
76
Journal / Book Title
Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Volume
13
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Authors. Methods in Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35873756
PII: MEE313746
Subjects
conservation
environment
interdisciplinary
policy
practice
qualitative
social science
transdisciplinary
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States