1|Page
HIN4801 Assignment 4 2026 (Answer Guide) – Due 8 August 2026
Research Methodology in Information Science Theme: Participatory
approach and archival designs
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
A Critical Evaluation of the Research Methodology Used in Roeschley (2023):
Participatory Archives and Community Engagement ...............................................................2
Introduction ................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Participatory Research and its Suitability for the Study .................................................2
1.2 Two Research Designs that Support Participatory Research ........................................3
1.3 Ethical Responsibility in the Research .............................................................................4
Voluntary Informed Consent .................................................................................................5
Confidentiality .........................................................................................................................5
1.4 Two Data Collection Tools Used in the Study ..................................................................6
1.5 Trustworthiness of the Study .............................................................................................6
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................7
References ..................................................................................................................................8
, 2|Page
A Critical Evaluation of the Research Methodology Used in Roeschley (2023):
Participatory Archives and Community Engagement
Introduction
Participatory research has gained prominence in Library and Information Science (LIS)
because it encourages collaboration between researchers and communities to generate
knowledge that reflects lived experiences. In archival studies, this approach enables
communities to contribute directly to preserving their own histories instead of relying
solely on professional archivists. Roeschley's (2023) study investigates collection day
outreach events and examines how they promote community participation in archival
preservation. This assignment evaluates the research methodology used in the study by
discussing the suitability of participatory research, research designs that support it,
ethical considerations, data collection methods and the trustworthiness of the findings.
1.1 Participatory Research and its Suitability for the Study
Participatory research is a research approach that promotes collaboration between
researchers and participants throughout the research process. Instead of viewing
participants as sources of information only, it recognises them as partners whose
knowledge and experiences contribute to developing meaningful research outcomes
(Cargo & Mercer, 2008). The approach encourages shared decision-making, mutual
learning and the production of knowledge that benefits both researchers and the
communities involved (Cornwall & Jewkes, 1995).
Roeschley's (2023) research reflects these principles because community members
were actively involved in documenting their own histories by contributing photographs,
documents and personal narratives during collection day events. Participants also
explained the significance of these records, allowing their perspectives to shape the
archival collection. This demonstrates the concept of shared authority, where archivists
and community members jointly contribute to preserving collective memory (Frisch,
1990).
HIN4801 Assignment 4 2026 (Answer Guide) – Due 8 August 2026
Research Methodology in Information Science Theme: Participatory
approach and archival designs
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
A Critical Evaluation of the Research Methodology Used in Roeschley (2023):
Participatory Archives and Community Engagement ...............................................................2
Introduction ................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Participatory Research and its Suitability for the Study .................................................2
1.2 Two Research Designs that Support Participatory Research ........................................3
1.3 Ethical Responsibility in the Research .............................................................................4
Voluntary Informed Consent .................................................................................................5
Confidentiality .........................................................................................................................5
1.4 Two Data Collection Tools Used in the Study ..................................................................6
1.5 Trustworthiness of the Study .............................................................................................6
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................7
References ..................................................................................................................................8
, 2|Page
A Critical Evaluation of the Research Methodology Used in Roeschley (2023):
Participatory Archives and Community Engagement
Introduction
Participatory research has gained prominence in Library and Information Science (LIS)
because it encourages collaboration between researchers and communities to generate
knowledge that reflects lived experiences. In archival studies, this approach enables
communities to contribute directly to preserving their own histories instead of relying
solely on professional archivists. Roeschley's (2023) study investigates collection day
outreach events and examines how they promote community participation in archival
preservation. This assignment evaluates the research methodology used in the study by
discussing the suitability of participatory research, research designs that support it,
ethical considerations, data collection methods and the trustworthiness of the findings.
1.1 Participatory Research and its Suitability for the Study
Participatory research is a research approach that promotes collaboration between
researchers and participants throughout the research process. Instead of viewing
participants as sources of information only, it recognises them as partners whose
knowledge and experiences contribute to developing meaningful research outcomes
(Cargo & Mercer, 2008). The approach encourages shared decision-making, mutual
learning and the production of knowledge that benefits both researchers and the
communities involved (Cornwall & Jewkes, 1995).
Roeschley's (2023) research reflects these principles because community members
were actively involved in documenting their own histories by contributing photographs,
documents and personal narratives during collection day events. Participants also
explained the significance of these records, allowing their perspectives to shape the
archival collection. This demonstrates the concept of shared authority, where archivists
and community members jointly contribute to preserving collective memory (Frisch,
1990).
