ABSTRACT
Peer research is increasingly used in international academic, policy and practice environments. It engages members of a group or social network as trusted members of a research team working in communities and settings they are familiar with.
Critics, however, point to methodological concerns with peer research. These include the extent to which peer researchers genuinely represent the populations under study; data confidentiality; the emotional burden of enquiring into sensitive issues peers may experience in their own lives; and the reliability and credibility of data collected by people who do not have academic training. The book seeks to counter the marginalisation of research experience and skills derived from close relationships with people and communities, while reflecting critically on the strengths and limitations of peer research. Chapters by a wide range of international contributors illustrate the potential of peer research to facilitate an in-depth understanding of health and social development issues and enhance policy and practice.
This interdisciplinary book provides students and professionals working in health, social science and development studies with a thorough grounding in this new style of research. It will appeal to those interested in research and evaluation; sexual health and public health; mental health, disability and social care; gender and sexuality; conservation and environmental management; migration and citizenship studies; humanitarian issues; and international development.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part Section I|58 pages
Critical perspectives on peer research
chapter 1|17 pages
Peer research in health and social development
chapter 2|13 pages
From the researched to the researcher
chapter 3|13 pages
Principled tensions when working with peer researchers
chapter 4|13 pages
The limits of peer research?
part Section II|58 pages
Working with hard to reach participants
chapter 5|14 pages
People with dementia as peer researchers
chapter 6|14 pages
Gender diverse equality and well-being in Manipur, North East India
chapter 8|15 pages
Participation and power
part Section III|44 pages
Understanding diverse issues
chapter 9|14 pages
Participatory visual research exploring gender and water in Cameroon
chapter 10|13 pages
‘I am the bridge’
part Section IV|42 pages
Ethical considerations
chapter 12|13 pages
Socio-ethical considerations in peer research with newly arrived migrant and refugee young people in Denmark
chapter 13|15 pages
The ethical dilemmas of working safely with community researchers
chapter 14|12 pages
Blurred lines
part Section V|58 pages
Influencing policy and practice