When Research Equals Adult Education: Knowledge, Power and Participatory Research
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Date
1982
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Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Abstract
This paper explores the rationale and introduction to research undertaken in a participatory way, particularly in adult education. It analyzes key concepts such as knowledge, power, and participatory research, and discusses their roles in education and research. By examining the production, dissemination, and assimilation of knowledge, the paper highlights the political dimensions of conventional research methodologies and proposes a framework to understand the relationship between education, research, and societal power structures.
Description
The paper provides a functionalist analysis of knowledge and power in the context of participatory research (PR) and adult education. It critiques traditional schooling's emphasis on formal knowledge and the exclusion of learners from knowledge production. The discussion extends to dimensions of power, emphasizing the impact of knowledge control and false consciousness on societal dynamics and individual empowerment.
Keywords
Participatory Research, Adult Education, Knowledge Acquisition, Power Dynamics, Educational Methodology