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What is a journal club?

A journal club is an educational meeting in which a group of readers discuss published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in order to keep abreast of new knowledge.

Studies have reported that journal clubs help readers to keep up with current findings, exercise their critical thinking and appraisal skills, improve their presentation and discussion abilities, and promote change in practice (see Aweid et al., 2021; Bhattacharya, 2017; Boyne & Beadle, 2017; Mark et al., 2021).

The MARNet Journal Club is held virtually on a regular basis and is offered free of charge for all participants. The session will be moderated by committee members, secretariat committees, or the authors of the research articles themselves. We aim to critically discuss action research articles/book chapters to encourage readers to engage with scholarly work. The chosen articles may be in English or Bahasa Melayu and will be chosen based on the needs and interests of the participants. All registered readers are encouraged to read the article or book chapter in advance of each session, to engage in fruitful discussions.

Recommended readings:

Aweid, B., Haider, Z., Wehbe, M., & Hunter, A. (2021). Educational benefits of the online journal club: a systematic review. Medical Teacher, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2021.1963424

Bhattacharya, S. (2017). Journal club and post-graduate medical education. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 50(03), 302-305. https://dx.doi.org/10.4103%2Fijps.IJPS_222_17

Boyne, M., & Beadle, H. (2017). Journal Club: A mechanism for bringing evidenced based practice into school?. Teacher Education Advancement Network Journal, 9(2), 14-23.

Mark, I., Sonbol, M., & Abbasian, C. (2021). Running a journal club in 2020: Reflections and challenges. BJPsych Bulletin, 45(6), 339-342. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2020.121

Veresoglou, S. D., & Rillig, M. C. (2018). Research experience modifies how participants profit from journal clubs in academia. Journal of Biological Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2018.1469541

The structure of the journal club is as follows:
Past Event | Journal Club

Participatory action research in culturally complex societies: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

One of the aims of participatory action research (PAR) is to bring realities of lives closer together through dialogue and ‘conscientization’, raising critical awareness among participants from all backgrounds. Promoting participation often assumes a power shift from the decision-makers to the majority of society, who can be the end-receivers of decisions made. Once some kind of awareness is achieved, the participants should be able to challenge the causes of their perceived oppression, or resolve the suffering that is endured, if that is what they hope to achieve. However, the situation is more complex in many contemporary societies, in which there are not only differing cultural beliefs related to religion, but different ontologies about being and living in the world. There is much contemporary debate about the possibilities of critique that take on board divergent sociomaterial realities within the same classroom. Practical and structural differences can pose challenges to conducting PAR research. In this article, we address the distinctive nature of PAR in relation to a culturally diverse group of participants. We argue that research using a PAR framework can result in subtle ethical challenges, which also provide insights for opportunities and strategies. Drawing from the authors’ experiences in multicultural education and working with culturally diverse youth and postgraduate students, opportunities and challenges of applying a PAR approach are discussed. We conclude with the suggestion that PAR remains consistent with its original transformative goals, but also remain open to further explorations of activism that address pressing contemporary concerns within culturally complex societies.

Balakrishnan, V., & Claiborne, L. (2017). Participatory action research in culturally complex societies: Opportunities and challenges. Educational Action Research, 25(2), 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2016.1206480

Moderator
Assoc Prof Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan

Assoc Prof Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan

Universiti Malaya

Participating in a MARNet Journal Club
Event Details
Past Event | Journal Club

Photovoice: Concept, Methodology, and Use for Participatory Needs Assessment

Abstract

Photovoice is a process by which people can identify, represent, and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique. As a practice based in the production of knowledge, photovoice has three main goals: (1) to enable people to record and reflect their community’s strengths and concerns, (2) to promote critical dialogue and knowledge about important issues through large and small group discussion of photographs, and (3) to reach policymakers. Applying photovoice to public health promotion, the authors describe the methodology and analyze its value for participatory needs assessment. They discuss the development of the photovoice concept, advantages and disadvantages, key elements, participatory analysis, materials and resources, and implications for practice.

Wang, C., & Burris, M. A. (1997). Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education & Behavior, 24(3), 369-387. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019819702400309

Moderators
Dr Yoon Sook Jhee

Dr Yoon Sook Jhee

SEGi University

Dr Pang Jee Ching

Dr Pang Jee Ching

SEGi University

Event Details
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat or fill the form below.

Mrs Suriani Alland Rice Oxley

Mrs Suriani Alland Rice Oxley

event[a]marnet.my