Interdisciplinary, participatory and multi-stakeholder research methods to study ecosystems and their benefits

Abstract

The paper presents an interdisciplinary, participatory, and multi-actor research methodology that fosters knowledge co-production and discusses it in relation to the concept of ‘transformative change’. It was developed over nearly two decades in territories of high socioeconomic and productive heterogeneity (i.e., the west of the province of Córdoba, Argentina). It consists of six stages: a) social-actors mapping; b) in-depth interviews; c) single-actor focus groups; d) results dissemination; e) multi-actor focus group, and f) knowledge co-production of new research questions. These stages are presented in conceptual terms and analysed through empirical situations related to our research. The methodology follows a trajectory of increasing participation, social interaction and complexity, culminating in the formulation of new research questions coproduced by social actors and researchers. The article suggests that research processes promoting democratic participation and seeking transformative change require shifting from transfer perspectives to approaches that prioritize social exchange, cooperation and collective creation. When well-planned and implemented, interdisciplinary, participatory and multi-stakeholder research methodologies that promote knowledge coproduction enable researchers to gain perspectives on the research problem that are not easily attainable through other approaches.