Participatory Action Research

What Participatory Action Research Claims to be

The Handbook of action research defines PAR as:

There are several important aspects to this definition of PAR as a form of cooperative or collaborative enquiry. First, PAR conducts research with people not on them (Heron & Reason, 2001). Those involved in the problem under study are part of the research process. Second, co-researchers join together to develop knowledge to inform practice and solve concrete problems. As such, PAR aims to ensure the actions of those involved are better informed, if not changed through the [Page 468]research process. Third, PAR is a process of knowledge development involving action and reflection. It is a creative process of testing knowledge in action and through critical reflection on action. Lastly, PAR aims to solve concrete problems and, in so doing, make a positive difference in the lives of those involved in the research process and those who benefit from it (Wadsworth, 1998). Hence PAR is transformative rather than merely informative. As Gergen and Gergen (2008) argue, PAR is about ‘world making’ not ‘world mapping’ (p. 159). Research should, in their view, show people how the world could be and not just how it is. In wanting to make a difference, participatory action researchers often make claims to the emancipatory nature of the PAR process. There are examples, in the world of social work, of PAR changing practice through critical reflection (Baldwin, 2001; Bryan, 2002; Jones, 2004; Kreitzer et al., 2009) and transforming the lives of marginalised groups through challenging rather than perpetuating oppression (Baldwin, 1997; Bryan, 2002; Chowns, 2008; Cassano & Dunlop, 2005; Fenge, 2010).

...