Transformative research and evaluation

by Donna M. Mertens

This book provides a framework for making methodological decisions and conducting research and evaluations that promote social justice. The transformative paradigm has emerged from a broad range of social and behavioral science research projects with communities that have been pushed to the margins, such as ethnic, racial, and sexual minority group members and children and adults with disabilities. Mertens shows how to formulate research questions based on community needs, develop researcher-community partnerships grounded in trust and respect, and skillfully apply quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods data collection strategies. Practical aspects of analyzing and reporting results are addressed, and numerous sample studies are presented. Table of contents: 1. Resilience, Resistance, and Complexities That Challenge 2. The Transformative Paradigm: Basic Beliefs and Commensurate Theories 3. Self, Partnerships, and Relationships 4. Developing the Focus of Research/Evaluation Studie