Researching without “methods”: an experiment in socio-ecological sustainability research with rural communities

Bananuka, T., Perry, M. and Kadoma, A. (2023) Researching without “methods”: an experiment in socio-ecological sustainability research with rural communities. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, p. 16094069231179159. (doi: 10.1177/16094069231179159)

Abstract

This article describes an improvisatory or ‘no method’ research approach in socio-ecological sustainability in two rural Ugandan communities. A team of multidisciplinary researchers purposed to understand how rural community members make sense of their role in, and relationship with, the environment. In addition, they sought to unsettle pre-existing assumptions, categories of knowledge, and methods of knowledge generation, through a practical and conceptual exploration of community-academy collaboration in research. The authors present an account of the research process as an experiment towards a decolonial, context-specific, and post-qualitative practice of inquiry and collaboration. The paper describes the context of the Ugandan communities involved and the socio-ecological issues that impact their lives. Related methodological practices are discussed to support the description and discussion of the improvised methods employed in this study. The methodological findings that conclude this paper have implications for global sustainability research, partnership, and action.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Perry, Professor Mia and Kadoma, Mr Anthony
• Authors: Bananuka, T., Perry, M., and Kadoma, A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy
• Journal Name: International Journal of Qualitative Methods
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1609-4069
• ISSN (Online): 1609-4069
• Published Online: 31 May 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Qualitative Methods 22: 16094069231179159
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
173913		CSPE: The implementation gap in environmental initiatives through community engagement and public pedagogies	Mia Perry	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/P006701/1	ED - Education