The p, a and r of participatory action research with unaccompanied girls

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Abstract

This article discusses the possibilities and the challenges of conducting participatory action research (PAR) with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and youth. Drawing from a PAR project with 12 unaccompanied asylumseeking girls in a Finnish reception centre, the paper explores the P, A and R of PAR asking the following questions: what kind of participation is relevant in such a challenging phase of life, being in a new society without families; what is ‘good’ action in these circumstances; and, finally, what is the involvement of the children in conducting the research when they find the practical end product clearly more interesting? The results show that as a flexible and child-centred research method, PAR can be used to promote the participation of children and youth in a reception centre. However, participation in research should not be mandatory: unaccompanied children who have often had too many responsibilities and inadequate protection in the past desire to be assured that it is the adults’ responsibility to make the right decisions concerning the improvements of the children’s lives.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

How can participatory research methods be used to improve research with refugees?

Participatory research methods have been successfully implemented with multiple refugee communities and have covered various topics. General principles of participatory research include viewing community members as co-researchers, creating advisory boards, involving community members in all steps of the research project, and highlighting community expertise on their own lived experiences Community empowerment and skill building should…

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: No evidence about impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

HOST COUNTRY: Finland

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

OUTCOME AREA: Community engagement

POPULATION: Unaccompanied Minors

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Africa

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2016

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