Collaborative research

adminCollaborative research, Research

DPD Methodologies are transformative research, that is, research methodologies that contribute not only to the advancement of scientific knowledge but also to social transformation. These methodologies involve interventions with communities or organizations regarding social or organizational challenges. People impacted by the problem being studied become co-researchers involved in every aspect of the investigation.

We hypothesize that these methodologies engender social transformation precisely through dialogue and the co-production of scientific knowledge among the stakeholders of the intervention. This hypothesis highlights the mediating position of researchers in the co-construction of scientific frameworks together with the stakeholders.

Below are a few related questions:

  • Scientific representations are an important outcome of the research process. What is their role in social transformation? 
  • How are the scientific representations and associated interpretations constructed during intervention processed by the stakeholders and other players? 
  • In what way are they sorted, used, ignored, implemented, or overextended by the players in question? 
  • Who are the proponents of the research process? 
  • When researchers abandon their posture of expertise, how does this affect research processes? 
  • Which social frameworks of dialogue and analysis do researchers then hope to implement? 
  • How do research participants and communities engage in the research process?
My investigation into the relationships between theory, methodology, method and social transformation in psychology are currently leading me to explore and contrast several research traditions focusing on social transformation, which evolved independently, despite interesting convergences: the Activity Clinic around the works of Yves Clot, inspired by Vygotski’s psychology; the CRADLE school of Developmental Work Research and Change Lab methodology, following the works of Yrjö Engeström; the 5th Dimension developments by Michael Cole and colleagues; the rich tradition of Critical Psychology, pursuing the ideas of Klaus Holzkampf; Scollons’ nexus analysis; as well as some recent developments of the initial paths of Action Research of Kurt Lewin.