As you go through the research materials – whether books, videos, recorded interviews or objects – try different ways of working: whole group, individually, in pairs or small groups. This is an opportunity for people to see which working style they prefer. If several different formats are tried throughout the project, people will also learn that different methods work better for different tasks. They will learn to be flexible in their approach. But people who are new to group work and formal learning may take some time to feel confident and comfortable and may not be ready to try new approaches right away.
Here’s an example of exploring a resource: You may choose to watch a video as a whole group. First, review the points on your list, ‘What we want to know’. Add to the list if people can think of more questions. Have the list visible while watching the video. Everyone can look for information that answers your questions. You may choose to watch the video all the way through once first, then watch it again, stopping the video when people want to record information and make notes. Take the opportunity to discuss issues as they come up. Group discussions help build people’s knowledge and confidence.
Each person in your group may have different ways they prefer to record information. Here are some examples of ways to record information from Dawn Loney’s book, Research in the Community:
(For info about Dawn Loney’s book see Oral History Resources in the Useful Resources section.)
The important thing is to show people different methods and let them try for themselves. People may already have learned strategies for organizing themselves. If you have recording equipment available, some people may prefer to record their information orally.