Action partnership research design: A new research methodology

Abstract

Despite suggestions within LIS literature that users are active stakeholders in research, particularly in such areas as participatory design, examination of the findings indicates that this is not always the case. This is likely the result of methodologies that differentiate contributions from researchers and partic-ipants, often creating hidden hierarchies and divisions between the research-er and the researched. In doing so, these methodologies objectify the stake-holder, rather than valuing their input and expertise. Building upon the par-ticipatory qualitative research design methodology, Bonded Design, and in-spired by indigenous and decolonial methodologies, a new non-hierarchical research methodology, Action Partnership Research Design, is proposed.