Participatory research methods are growing in popularity, but new research from the University of Eastern Finland suggests that they remain underused in research exploring how older people learn. After assessing how older people participate in learning research, the researchers found that our understanding has largely emerged as a result of robust participation from older people themselves.

Indeed, in just five of the 2,253 papers assessed did older people not play any part in the study, with these five typically focusing on the perspectives of next of kin or professionals. Despite this, the researchers point out that most older people participate as subjects, whose learning is analyzed in a clinical environment.

Social participation

The researchers explain that while this desire to have older people participate and interact can be met by a wide range of roles, organizations such as the WHO and UN are asking for a more participatory approach in any research that addresses older people. They also call for qualitative, creative, and arts-based approaches.

“The role of a co-researcher enables participation at different stages of the research process, starting from research design. Participatory methods also enable co-learning between the researcher and older people,” the researchers explain.

The study shows the need for researchers to develop more participatory research methods, with even traditional approaches such as interviews and surveys adapted to be more participatory.

While participatory methods better support the realization of older people’s rights and healthy aging, researchers should take into account that not all older people want or can participate in research. It is also important to consider those who eventually participate, as participants are often more active, younger and generally in a better condition than non-participants.

“In order to involve as wide a group of older people as possible in research, it would be advisable to provide participants with the opportunity to choose their way or role of participating. This possibility should be taken into account already when planning a study,” the researchers conclude.