Voice

Voice is a versatile term, used in research to describe the ability, mode and/or right of individuals or groups [Page 807]to make their ideas, opinions, emotions, perspectives and needs known to others. Similarly, to voice is to make such an expression, while to give voice to is to allow or support this expression. In the domain of action research, voice becomes more than just an innate way to express oneself; it is also a way to participate and engage in conversations around social justice and change.

The first voice to consider is that of the researcher, whose feelings, experiences, interests and positionalities cannot be divorced from the topic of study and, indeed, are often the basis for an inquiry. Most action research involves a measure of relationship and trust wherein both the researcher and those researched must allow each other into their lives in order to explore an issue together fully. The researcher must be aware of his or her own voice in order to remain transparent in advocating for the voices of others.

Voice can be a profound source of empowerment for all involved, but particularly for those parties whose voices have traditionally been marginalized, ignored or completely silenced. Voice is a necessary aspect of agency, or the capacity to make choices and act for oneself, which for many has also been compromised. Action researchers who wish to validate the experiences and ‘ways of knowing’ of the participants in an inquiry are first tasked with uncovering the true voices of those participants, which are all too often influenced by undercurrents of power and privilege, cultural barriers and similar inhibitors. Moreover, they must know where to find those voices.

Voice comes in many forms and serves various purposes, from personal to collective, private to activist. It is embodied not only in words but also in silence, abstinence, action, demonstration, appearance, artistic expression and so on. It is not limited to traditional avenues of speech and writing, but it can also be found through narratives and storytelling, Photovoice (the use of photography to document one’s perspectives), inclusive debate and dialogue and anywhere else individuals or groups have the opportunity to express themselves by whatever means necessary and without limitation or judgement. There are voices of all colours, shapes and sizes, diverse in race, class, gender, age and ability; and there are voices that require advocacy, such as those of the dependent and/or incapacitated or the ‘voices’ of the natural environment, non-human beings and other entities or causes that need an interpreter. Finally, not all voices and expressions of voice can be objectively separated from one another, as they inherently coexist in an ever-changing, interconnected web of stimuli and experience, of history and possibility.

The action researcher must consider all these facets of voice within the scope of a study. As a starting point, this entry will further explore issues of voice with regard to power dynamics, authenticity and ethics, and their accompanying implications for action research.