The utility of concept mapping for actualizing participatory research

Concept Mapping (CM) is a methodology designed for researching group processes;one its main features is the participatory nature of the technique and its use in new contexts, using methods rooted in traditional applied research. A strong feature of CM is the inclusion of different groups of people interested inreaching meanings and consensus to generate commitment oriented to the development of the communities involved. Another strength, is the overcoming of the shortcomings of ethnographic techniques, because it includes all groups of interest (stakeholders) to combine knowledge, actions and change. Its use (CM)requires to develop of multilevel relationships among the groups, and the valuing of different perspectives, as well as the balancing of the researcher′s approach and that of the participants, using robust models and analytics that yield objective data.