Participation is central to improving the relevance, effectiveness, and ethics of health research. This paper examines key issues in participatory action research, distinguishing approaches that involve those most affected throughout the research process from the more limited use of participatory methods. It highlights areas for further development, including shifting power in research, aligning with biomedical approaches, linking local action to wider policy change, and working rigorously with experiential knowledge. Drawing on theory from multiple disciplines, the paper contributes conceptual resources for ongoing reflection and development in the field.
This paper is available as an open-access working paper (Download pdf 3.2mb) and as a publication:
Vincent R, Harris J, Loewenson R et al. Mapping key issues and useful theory to address remaining ethical, practical and political challenges in participatory research in health [version 1; peer review: 1 approved]. Wellcome Open Res 2025, 10:412 (https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24114.1)
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