Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]

As anthropologists working in research for development (R4D) we are under pressure to use participatory methods in our research. However, the level and quality of participation often vary from one project to another or even within a single project, due to the type of participatory approaches used an...

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Autores principales: Debevec, Liza, Salzer, A.K.
Formato: Conference Paper
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2014
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/67634
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author Debevec, Liza
Salzer, A.K.
author_browse Debevec, Liza
Salzer, A.K.
author_facet Debevec, Liza
Salzer, A.K.
author_sort Debevec, Liza
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description As anthropologists working in research for development (R4D) we are under pressure to use participatory methods in our research. However, the level and quality of participation often vary from one project to another or even within a single project, due to the type of participatory approaches used and due to differing perceptions by researchers and other stakeholders of what participation is all about. In this paper we examine the good and the bad of participatory approaches in R4D, by comparing methods (3D participatory mapping, Companion Modelling, Innovation platforms and other forms of participatory workshops) in concrete examples from R4D projects in 3 African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso). While participation is believed to offer an alternative to top-down decision making, it can, in some cases actually reinforce such decision-making processes and power differences. Understanding the potential of participation requires first an understanding of the political and social realities underlying the context in which it is being implemented.
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spelling CGSpace676342025-03-11T09:50:20Z Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only] Debevec, Liza Salzer, A.K. anthropology research participatory approaches As anthropologists working in research for development (R4D) we are under pressure to use participatory methods in our research. However, the level and quality of participation often vary from one project to another or even within a single project, due to the type of participatory approaches used and due to differing perceptions by researchers and other stakeholders of what participation is all about. In this paper we examine the good and the bad of participatory approaches in R4D, by comparing methods (3D participatory mapping, Companion Modelling, Innovation platforms and other forms of participatory workshops) in concrete examples from R4D projects in 3 African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso). While participation is believed to offer an alternative to top-down decision making, it can, in some cases actually reinforce such decision-making processes and power differences. Understanding the potential of participation requires first an understanding of the political and social realities underlying the context in which it is being implemented. 2014 2015-07-30T06:07:52Z 2015-07-30T06:07:52Z Conference Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/67634 en Limited Access Debevec, Liza; Salzer, A. K. 2014. Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only] Paper presented at the 13th EASA Biennial Conference on Collaboration, Intimacy & Revolution-Innovation and Continuity in an Interconnected World, Tallinn, Estonia, 31st July - 3rd August 2014. 1p.
spellingShingle anthropology
research
participatory approaches
Debevec, Liza
Salzer, A.K.
Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]
title Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]
title_full Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]
title_fullStr Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]
title_full_unstemmed Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]
title_short Anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects: case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana and Burkina Faso [Abstract only]
title_sort anthropologists and participatory research in research for development projects case studies from ethiopia ghana and burkina faso abstract only
topic anthropology
research
participatory approaches
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/67634
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