ABSTRACT
This chapter offers some preliminary thoughts on engaging with participatory approaches, including the challenges experienced and the benefits these bring. It draws on reflective accounts in our research diaries and considers the extent to which participatory approaches are achievable in sport and leisure research. The chapter explores the researchers to reflect on their engagement with young people within the research process and also promotes thinking around notions of participation in sport and leisure research. In adopting a position that aims to promote fairness, equity and citizenship, researchers have recognised the need to reconsider the ways in which research is undertaken. For some, participatory research involves ensuring research participants are engaged with interactive data collection methods. The chapter expresses that researchers attempting to work in a participatory manner to promote social justice should be cautious about the claims they make.
