Information and Participatory Research and Action: An Alternative to Avoid Domination and Develop Citizenship

Objective: The research presents the effectiveness of Participatory Research and Action (PRA) specifically in information science. The main statement that motivated this qualitative study was that there is no citizenship without critical awareness. This research has the objective to demonstrate that collaborative work combined with multidirectional and interactive communication in PRA can develop critical awareness and citizenship.Methodology: The study is focused on citizens’ critical awareness development. It is based on bibliographical research, within critical thinking theoretical perspective, one of the currents contemplated by subjectivism epistemology. The study search mainly two data sources. First, Borges’ article, which presents comparative issues related to socialism and capitalism ideologies. Second, Tavares’ PhD thesis, in which PRA techniques were tested. Additionally, findings from several researches related with social development, social rights, popular participation, as well as citizen’s manipulation and domination were also collected. Data analysis were based on grounded theory principles, particularly the coding process and textual examination.Findings: Data analysis revealed three great postulations. First, lack of critical awareness and dissemination of fake news has both guided people to be manipulated, oppressed and dominated. Second, it is essential for citizen to be educated critically to deal with information that affects his life. Finally, it is possible to use PRA to develop critical awareness and citizenship. PRA promotes learning, broadens the notion of citizenship, and develops attitudes such as reading, analyzing and criticizing information, which constitutes an essential skill to developing critical awareness

Evaluation of Libraries and Informations Units: A Proposition to Adopt Participatory Research Techniques In Order To Build Management Tools

Introduction. We report an investigation designed to present a specific model to build management tools for libraries and information units. A management evaluation model is shown to be necessary, because these units are undergoing transformations more sharply than other organizations, therefore changes and strategies need to be monitored and controlled. Method. Questionnaires, interviews, meetings and documentary research were conducted with a researcher at Brasíia University, Brasília, Brazil. Participative methodology was used for data collection in order to get staffs commitment and involvement in the process of building management tools. Participative research showed important because its use helped participants to solve problems as well as to deal with control and management tolls. Analysis. Transcription of the interviews, recorded tape of meetings, documents and questionnaires tabulation formed the data for analysis. Principles of grounded theory were adopted, notably coding that allows recursive data analysis to be used to obtain the consensus from participants about what need to be measured. Results. It proved possible to build management tools for libraries and information units applying participatory techniques. The investigation resulted in a set of coherent and fully contextualized indicators for a selected information unit. Conclusions. Participatory techniques appear to be appropriated to enable managers and employees to handle information in order to solve problems. Commitment and involvement of participants were observed, and this is the most important finding of this investigation

Evaluation of Libraries and Informations Units: A Proposition to Adopt Participatory Research Techniques In Order To Build Management Tools

Introduction. We report an investigation designed to present a specific model to build management tools for libraries and information units. A management evaluation model is shown to be necessary, because these units are undergoing transformations more sharply than other organizations, therefore changes and strategies need to be monitored and controlled. Method. Questionnaires, interviews, meetings and documentary research were conducted with a researcher at Brasíia University, Brasília, Brazil. Participative methodology was used for data collection in order to get staffs commitment and involvement in the process of building management tools. Participative research showed important because its use helped participants to solve problems as well as to deal with control and management tolls. Analysis. Transcription of the interviews, recorded tape of meetings, documents and questionnaires tabulation formed the data for analysis. Principles of grounded theory were adopted, notably coding that allows recursive data analysis to be used to obtain the consensus from participants about what need to be measured. Results. It proved possible to build management tools for libraries and information units applying participatory techniques. The investigation resulted in a set of coherent and fully contextualized indicators for a selected information unit. Conclusions. Participatory techniques appear to be appropriated to enable managers and employees to handle information in order to solve problems. Commitment and involvement of participants were observed, and this is the most important finding of this investigation