240507 SE Participative data acquisition from a cultural and social anthropological perspective (P2) (2019W)

A Cultural and Social Anthropological Approach on Participatory Methods of Data Acquisition
Supported by discourses on cultural turn the proceeding of data acquisition in social sciences swift from an interpretative to a cooperative approach during the last three or four decades. That change was accompanied by an orientation towards a democratized conception of constructing anthropological realities.
Two basic adjustments are important in the work process:
First, we want to understand all available perspectives and opinions of individuals and groups involved in the social process.
Second, we want to evaluate collected data by sharing their textualized form with both peers and informants.
This proceeding benefits by avoiding the reduction of realities to our individual perception and interpretation and by filling gaps of information and knowledge. The second positive aspect is the de-hierarchisation of knowledge by listening to different voices regardless of their formation and provenience. Thus, communication, (self-)reflection and adequate textualization are basic competences for doing research.
Even within International Organizations, NGOs or World Bank the usage of methods of participatory data acquisition, such as Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) or Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) for preparing cooperation programs increases. These methods are based on concepts of social sciences.
This seminar intends to have a critical look at possibilities of adopting such methods "in the field", when occasionally controversial interests and needs are conflicting issues in the background of projects. Therefore, we need to identify intercultural as well as interrelated aspects that condition our anthropological work.