Participatory Action Research An Introduction to a Research Approach Rachel Casey 19 June 2015
Presentation Overview Participatory Action Research = PAR What is PAR? What is PAR all about? How does PAR happen? What methods are used in PAR? What are possible products of PAR? What are the pros and cons to PAR? How could PAR work for us? What do you think? Additional resources Please ask questions anytime! Discussions are way more interesting than presentations!
What is Participatory Action Research? PAR is an approach to research that brings together researchers and community members: To identify problems that the community faces To empower community members to research and create solutions to those problems To improve conditions in the community
What is PAR all about? PAR emphasizes collaboration between researchers and community members Community members are partners in research, not subjects of research Research focuses on questions that the community thinks are important to investigate PAR focuses on creating social change The ultimate goal of research is meaningful change in the community PAR works to empower community members through their participation in social action
How does PAR happen? PlanActObserveReflect PAR uses a cyclical process Reflecting as a group on how the research is going Planning the research activities and next steps Acting out the planned research activities Observing the collected data and research process
What methods are used in PAR? Surveys Observations Interviews Focus groups Community meetings Photovoice
What are possible products of PAR? PAR presents research findings in ways that will engage community members and other stakeholders and prompt social change: Powerpoint or poster presentation YouTube video or documentary Art installation or exhibit Theatrical production Publication in an academic journal Presentation at an academic or industry conference Anything else the collaborators choose!
What are the pros and cons to PAR? Pros Produces practical outcomes Focus on positive change Involves community participation Cons Big commitment of time and effort Research goals not always feasible Process can be messy and take a long time
How could PAR work for us? Form a research team of interested community members Research team members would meet on a regular basis Research team members would receive training in research ethics and methods Reflect and decide upon research question that is important to community This conversation could happen with the research team or during a community meeting Possible research question: What resources do reentering women need? Plan a research approach that will answer that question Possibilities include questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews Collect data using the chosen research approach Analyze the data to generate research findings This could be a collective process or one that is delegated to the academic researcher Share the research findings with community members and stakeholders
What do you think? What other information would you like to have about PAR? What do you like about PAR? What do you dislike about PAR? Do you think PAR might work for our group? Why or why not? What concerns do you have about PAR?
Additional Resources Keep learning about PAR on your own by checking out these links