The five whys method: A tool for developing program definitions in collaboration with children

June 24, 2015

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Participatory action research with young people (yPAR) involves youth and adults in a collaborative process of research, reflection, analysis and action. An important part of the research cycle is enabling youth participants to identify a problem definition. This article draws upon a yPAR project to demonstrate how the Five Whys method for reflecting on lived experience facilitated the development of problem definitions in line with second order change. The Five Whys method, when used within a participatory framework, offers both a context and a structure for young people to critically examine social problems and to seek out root causes.

Kohfeldt, D., & Langhout, R. D. (2012). The five whys method: A tool for developing program definitions in collaboration with children. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 22 (4), 316-329. Full Text.