Participatory Research for Social Services (July 2022)

This course provides an overview of participatory research designs and methods that can be applied to social and community services. Participatory research is distinct from other research approaches in its focus on engaging service users and ordinary people to be actively involved in decisions that shape the research or services that affect them. People’s participation in decision-making processes allows them the opportunities not only to voice their views, but also to have those views considered and incorporated into research and service designs. Participatory approaches place all stakeholders on level-playing ground and encourages users, service providers, researchers, policy-makers and other members to collaborate, share and co-own research that provides more effective solutions and services for users.