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Introduction
This paper offers directions toward constructing the basis for a research agenda that integrates participatory methodologies (PMs) into literacies research and practice as a valuable methodological basis. To achieve this purpose, this paper explains the pros and cons of using PM on L research and practice are, as well as its possibilities, characteristics and the contributions of a research agenda under such integration (PM-L agenda). This analysis draws from the pertinent literature, Scopus publication data, my own practice as an IL researcher and a questionnaire used to gather further insights from the research community in this matter and to strengthen our analysis.
The term PMs refers to various methodological traditions that have emerged from action research (AR), such as participatory action research (PAR). PMs share unique characteristics that are explained in the literature review section, for instance, they emphasize the use of actions or interventions in research, individuals’ participation and engagement throughout the research process; they stress that research is conducted with people rather than on people; they study participants’ practices, reactions, reflection and impressions; and they also allow the researcher to participate and intervene, instead of being the traditional so-called “fly on the wall”. These methodologies seek to improve upon participants’ conditions, situations and realities through reflection and engagement.
The umbrella term literacies (L) is used to include various related terms, which also represent related research areas, namely, digital literacy (DL), new literacy (NL), media literacy (ML) or media and information literacy (MIL). Such handling of the terms was taken from previous research (Machin-Mastromatteo, 2012; Machin-Mastromatteo et al., 2014) that drew from the specialized literature (Lau, 2006; Gee, 2007; Lankshear and Knobel, 2007; Lankshear and Knobel, 2011; Knobel and Lankshear, 2016) to seek a relationship and conciliation of terms, while providing short definitions for each of them. IL is broadly defined as the individual’s ability to handle information in general. DL refers to the ability to handle technological devices (hardware and software), as well as the ability to determine the quality and accuracy of digital information. NL are a series of new and innovative skills associated to ways of working with online content, social technologies and videogames, thus going beyond the concept of DL. ML and MIL are similar because they focus...