Emancipatory Research: A Synthesis of Quantitative Evidence

Emancipatory research challenges conventional ways in which knowledge is constructed within educational research. Using the Johanna Briggs methods, the authors conducted a systematic critical appraisal of the 45 quantitative emancipatory research articles published between 2000 and 2011 and provide a synthesis of findings. Type of studies, participants, and outcomes measure served as criteria for considering studies. As the results shown, 125 key findings were assigned into 26 groups, 12 thematic categories, five overarching descriptions: agency in community health; instruction practice and student engagement; learning experience impacts student performance; participation, student characteristic and programmatic opportunity; and university support, international education, evaluation, and professor specialization. The findings suggested that: systematic appraisal practice could be used for other syntheses; teaching emancipatory research methods in graduate school is important; course design, teacher program preparation, and teaching activities should closely represent societal needs, social culture, and demonstrate an awareness of students’ voice and cultural backgrounds.