I have always been boosted in being someone that puts research high on my agenda,in everything I do I believe the more you know about what you are embarking on,the better you will serve the purpose in it.
At University I spent hours researching Topics for papers I needed to hand in, my love for reading and writing were assets I was happy to have, although I was aware my contribution to a topic was important, I never stopped to think how it could contribute to change in a community, I never weighed its value
But recently I signed in to become part of a Research project and I am going through the training with eyes wide open as there's so much more to research than just reading volumes of information or searching Google for documents and putting in perspective your thoughts , research may be a one-man project or involve many persons as subjects, or persons from whom you deduce imformation.
Research has been part of our lives as long as we have become aware, we hear the word bandied about about research in animals, lab rats, research in people for varying reasons, for culture, for the growth of a community, for needs analysis, for changed behavior, consumer products, climate change, pollution, and the list is endless
But it's important to note, research is also guided by ethics and is valued for its ability to create social change. Long gone are the days when human beings were unethically subjected as lab rats to research projects .Research is guided by laws, it takes the rights, privacy , health, and well being of the individuals involved into consideration.
Below are two examples of the guidelines which are set by our World Pulse platform regarding Research and Evaluation.
Change
I quote .."Any research and evaluation efforts begin with a goal of social change in mind, seeking to benefit our communities. We view research and our participation in it as a way to not only make known the change that is happening but also to be part of it. We recognize the power that comes from individually and collectively sharing our voices and stories. We seek to share and amplify results in ways that create or catalyze change. For example, this may look like reports that are compiled and shared in various forms with people in leadership roles to effect change. "end quote.
So in essence our collective raised voices, can form the catalyst for a complied report that can be used to effect change on a global stage or community level.
I think about the practical aspect of this as some of our leaders meet in Africa this week, Our World Pulse founder and her team will share with the Globe the combined opinions of the World Pulse Platform as one voice, though we are not there ,they carry our collective energy with them to effect change
This second one is so important and one that gives me the confidence to share my story on the platform
Care
I quote "Community members often share personal stories, including accounts of trauma. We strive to exercise empathy and compassion when inviting participation, when members share their stories, and when considering whether to further share these stories. We seek to respond first in a spirit of care, recognizing our obligations to one another. We recognize we are interconnected, which means we all must exercise care with one another and with ourselves. For example, this may include at times not sharing others’ stories beyond their original context (see Safety). Change work requires that we also care for ourselves, so we respect each other’s time and that members may choose at times to not participate" .End quote
Having read the World Pulse guidelines, these will guide me as a researcher or part of a team of researchers. These principles are protective of the individuals who may be subject to the research and also serves as a guideline for me to ensure my research is handled ethically . It gives value to those involved, respecting their privacy and time and right to choice as well. It gives huge value to the outcome that is expected to be achieved for the betterment of the community or globe.
This gives me confidence if I am in a position of being a subject, I know the right questions to ask, to ensure the researcher is observing and abiding by the right guidelines
