Participation in Researches with Participative Methodologies: Reflections about Experiences

Abstract

Objective: Thus, this article seeks to provoke new reflections about participation, based on some research experiences with participatory methodology. Methods: The steps for the composition of this reflection were: 1-) selection of significant characteristics from the experiences during research with participatory methodologies 2-) presentation and discussion of the selected characteristics; and 3-) synthesizing relevant annotations. The following significant characteristics were considered: the question of participation as a process (levels of participation throughout the investigative process); flexibility in the use of data collection techniques: a key point in the construction of the participatory process; the cycles: new participants, new forms of participation. Results: Based on these considerations, in the process of participation, the participation or level of participation is expected to progressively vary (number of participants and intensity of participation - which leads to submissions of amendments in ethics committees) throughout the course of the research. While some advocate flexibility as a rigor criterion in participatory research, others argue that the flexible approach is still considered to be of less scientific rigor. Conclusion: Participation as a process under construction, using flexibility and other transformative devices, is seen as a powerful tool to be intensively developed during a participatory methodology research.