Reflexivity, Positionality and Power in Cross-Cultural Participatory Action Research with Research Assistants in Rural Cambodia

Autor/inn/en	Ozano, Kim; Khatri, Rose
Titel	Reflexivity, Positionality and Power in Cross-Cultural Participatory Action Research with Research Assistants in Rural Cambodia
Quelle	In: Educational Action Research, 26 (2018) 2, S.190-204 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Ozano, Kim)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0965-0792
DOI	10.1080/09650792.2017.1331860
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Reflection; Action Research; Participatory Research; Research Assistants; Rural Areas; Community Health Services; Health Personnel; Workshops; Cross Cultural Studies; Power Structure; Cambodia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Projektforschung; Forschungstätigkeit; Forschungspersonal; Rural area; Ländlicher Raum; Medizinisches Personal; Lernwerkstatt; Schulung; Cultural comparison; Kulturvergleich; Kambodscha
Abstract	This paper draws on the experiences of a doctoral student undertaking a cross-cultural, cross-language participatory action research (PAR) project in rural Cambodia. Cambodia is a largely Buddhist country with a complex history of religion, invasion, colonisation, war and oppression. Despite a democratic constitution, political control and fear of challenging authority are ever present; and all had an impact on the participation and development of this project. I recruited eight volunteer community health workers (CHWs) and two research assistants (RAs) with an aim to explore methods and challenges faced when trying to improve health with and for community members. Over eight participatory workshops and a two-day training session CHWs identified, implemented and reflected on solutions to community health problems. Simultaneously, the RAs and I reflected on the processes and challenges we faced. Creating opportunity for reflexivity allowed for discussion to emerge around culture, position and power and how these were impacting on the research process and outcomes. Established social hierarchical power structures in Cambodia presented challenges to undertaking a PAR project with emancipatory and social change aims. Such structures also impacted on the ability and readiness of participants to be critical and analytical. The importance of the RAs as cultural navigators and the necessity of embracing their situated knowledge as both an insider and outsider is a key finding. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01