Values-based self-reflective action research for promoting gender equality: some unexpected lessons
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Date
2014
Authors
Wood, Lesley
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of the Free State
Abstract
The idea of using values as a means of guiding our research decisions and judging the
validity of our claims of knowledge is well established in literature on the self-reflective
genre of action research. Values in action research should always result in virtuous
behaviour – to promote the general social good. However, ideas of what constitutes
the social good may differ from context to context. This article problematises the
notion that ‘good’ values lead to ‘good’ action. Presenting one research project as a
case study, I show that the articulation of values does not always result in what I, as
a researcher and White, middle-class woman, would recognise as health-promoting
action. Yet, the participants view such behaviour as a legitimate means to improve
their quality of life, at least in the short term. First, I describe the social and cultural
context of the research, before highlighting some value conflicts that emerged, as the
participants and I critically reflected on our understanding of more equal and healthy
gender relations. It is important to expose such conflicting value interpretations
through critical self-reflection, so that researchers and participants can work towards
a deeper mutual understanding of how to best address complex social issues such as
gender relations in specific social contexts.
Description
Keywords
Action research, Gender relations, HIV prevention, Research as social change, Self-study research, Values-based practitioner self-enquiry
Citation
Wood, L. (2014). Values-based self-reflective action research for promoting gender equality: Some unexpected lessons. Perspectives in Education, 32(2), 37-53.