Epistemological reflections derived from transdisciplinary research praxis

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to expose the epistemological reflections provided by the researchers who form an interdisciplinary group and establish a diagnosis during the first phase of participatory and action research (PAR). The project focuses on comprehensive health care in four communities with high and very high marginalization rates, located in the Comiteca-Tojolabal Planeau, Chiapas, Mexico, during the 2021-2022 cycle. This article develops a qualitative, descriptive, and critical reflection approach to rethink research based on linear relationships. It is understood that a philosophy of transdisciplinary education delineates a complex praxis that generates social transformations. First, the PAR method and its challenges are defined. Then, the challenges experienced by the researchers are exposed since they take actions to comply with the requests of the call issued by the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) until the moment of second reflexivity in which they examine what they are doing while they are doing it (Giddens, 2011). The main results reveal that the constant approach and dialogue among the body researchers and between the body and the communities generates intercultural sensitivity when different epistemologies and plural ways of understanding them coexist. This favors the projection of various methodological strategies that weave efforts in favor of the community well-being and allows the researcher to assume a socially responsible attitude.