Participatory Action Research

PAR as an Approach to Learning, Research and Action

Presented by

Mr. Jhessie L. Abella

Life Lesson No. 1

A turkey was chatting with a bull I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree, sighed the turkey, but I havent got the energy. Well, why dont you nibble on my droppings? replied the bull. Theyre packed with nutrients. The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree

Life Lesson No. 3

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it wont keep you there.

What Complex ADAPTIVE Problem DO YOU FACE RIGHT NOW???

Research and Evaluation Reflect on the Process and Brainstorm

Plan and Implement Action

Measure the Result of Action

Participatory Action Research

Is a collaborative research, education and action used to gather information to use for change on social or environmental issues. It involves people who are concerned about or affected by an issue taking a leading role in producing and using knowledge about it.
It is driven by participants It offers a democratic model of who can produce, own and use knowledge It is collaborative at every stage It is intended to result in some action

Participatory Action Research

PAR involve community residents, clients, and other constituents in social change oriented research. Participants work with a facilitator to identify a community problem, develop research methodology, collect data, and analyze findings. The data is then used to make recommendations about how the problem should be resolved. Participants advocate for funding, legislation, or government action to adopt the findings. The end result is to alleviate oppression or improve community or

Stringer describes this approach as one in which:

Knowledge acquisition/production proceeds as a collective process, engaging people who have previously been the subjects of research in the process of defining and redefining the corpus of understanding on which their community or organizational life is based. As they collectively investigate their own situation, stakeholders build a consensual vision of their lifeworld. Community-based action research results not only in a collective vision but also in a sense of community. It operates at the intellectual level as well as at social, cultural, political, and emotional levels. (p.11)

SOCIAL WORKERS ENCOUNTER PAR-RELATED RESEARCH

In community organization practice. When administering or developing programs that serve members of marginalized groups. When serving as an evaluator or consultant on community projects or in social service organizations. When using the multi-systems empowerment approach to practice (see for example, Gutierrez, Parsons, & Cox, 1998).

When would you use PAR?

If you want to gather and use information so that benefits come to the people it directly affects. PAR is used by a whole range of community groups and organizations (where people already know each other and/or work together), and also by groups that come together for the purposes of research and action on a particular issue.

Purpose of Participatory Action Research

The purpose of Participatory Action Research (PAR) is to minimize power differences between researchers and constituents, increase the knowledge of participants, and promote social change (Sohng, 1998).
PAR is associated with two aspects of learning theory: Kurt Lewins Action Research (1951) principles (knowledge flows from taking action) as well as the work of Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1970) in which he described a process of education for marginalized groups that involved mutual learning among teachers and students. The basic assumption of these approaches is that academic research should be used to reduce the harmful effects of oppression by involving members of powerless groups in the construction of knowledge, a critical examination of the world around them, and action to address social problems (Stringer, 1999). PAR also draws upon social constructionism and the work of post-modern theorists such as Michel Foucault who maintain that scientific knowledge often has little relevance in peoples every day lives, but instead serves to maintain existing institutional arrangements that limit power to members of economic, social and political elites (Rodwell, 1998).

Purpose of Participatory Action Research

Action learning is a Process that involves taking action and reflecting on that action to gain new knowledge.

Is PAR a Method or an Approach?

PAR is an approach to research. It is a set of principles

and practices for originating, designing, conducting, analyzing and acting on a piece of research.

PAR is not a method. Within PAR projects, many

different methods may be used group discussion, interviews, diagramming, video, photography, art, surveys, mapping, the collection of environmental data, computer analysis of datasets, etc.

SMITH (1997) DESCRIBES A PAR MODEL IN WHICH AN EXTERNAL RESEARCHER/FACILITATOR USES A FIVE-STAGE PROCESS FOR GOAL ATTAINMENT:

The researcher collects information about the community and its problems. The researcher uses dialogue to engage the group in a process of problem-identification. Group members develop an understanding of the social, economic, and political context or origins of the problem. They identify questions that they want answered. The group identifies theories about problem origins, designs data collection methods and generates possible solutions to address the problem. The group takes action.

Advantages of Methods
Increases feelings of participant ownership of process/programs. Increases likelihood that data will be used. Increases likelihood that the resulting program or intervention will meet needs of stakeholders and be culturally appropriate. Participants develop skills and

Disadvantages of Method
Distrust and conflict among participants. Length of time needed to develop consensus around goals, mission, and methods. The need for training around research methods, data collection, and analysis. The need for skilled facilitation, coordination, and follow-up on task completion. Money and an organizational structure are needed to do all these things. The group must be able to apply findings in order to achieve an outcome

Conditions that must be met for a successful PAR project

Trusting relationships among members must be developed in order for a consensus about project goals, data collection methods, an analysis of findings, and recommendations can be reached. Training about research methods, data collection, and analysis must be provided for the participants. Establishing a good organizational structure to support the work team The provision of strong administrative support

Skills Needed for Facilitation

Interpersonal skills such as engagement. Cultural competency Group facilitation and consensus building Research skills Knowledge of service delivery systems, community processes,

Thank You for Listening