Participatory research is best considered as an approach to research, rather than a research method. It is done with or by the people who participate, rather than on, about or to them. Grounded in the rights-based approach of ‘nothing about us, without us’, participatory action research (PAR) aims to disrupt power imbalances. This means it is especially useful when researching with young people who are marginalised within their communities, such as young people living in poverty, young people who married as children, adolescent mothers, out-of-school children and youth – and any other groups who may be vulnerable, and often left on the margins of research endeavours. When used effectively, participatory research can support youth agency and activism by promoting inclusion as well as help to unearth key themes affecting young people or solutions to help them thrive, which would have otherwise remained hidden.
This toolkit answers two key questions: how can you deliver effective and empowering participatory research with and for young people? What do good practice examples look like?
Suggested citation
Neumeister, E., Jones, N., Guglielmi, S., Othman, S. and Youssef, S. (2024) Participatory research with young people: a toolkit. London: Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence; Adolescent Girls Investment Plan (https://www.gage.odi.org/publication/participatory-research-with-young-people-a-toolkit/)
