Chapter 21Participatory Action Research Maggie Walter Introduction Participatory action research (PAR) or action research, as it is sometimes known, has in its implementation and underpinning philosophies an action purpose. This action purpose differentiates PAR from methods whose primary aim is to research or investigate. Although nearly all social research has some form of social change as motivation, only PAR has change and action as an embedded and critical element of its approach. Participatory action research has therefore been defined as having a double objective: One aim is to produce knowledge and action directly useful to a group of people through research, adult education or sociopolitical action. The second aim is to empower people at a second and deeper level through the process of constructing and using their own knowledge … (Reason 1998:71) The term ‘action research’ was coined in 1946 by Kurt Lewin to describe a spiral action of research aimed at problem solving. Community involvement was important for Lewin, writing and working after World War II, and he saw participatory action research as a tool for bringing about democracy in postwar countries (Robson 1993). Lewin, as a social psychologist, felt ‘that the best way to move people forward was to engage them in their own enquiries into their own lives’. He stressed the fundamental role of democratic collaboration and participation within this project (McNiff 1988:22). The key to PAR is in its name. The concepts of participation and action form the basics of the method. 1 2 Action: Research should be more than just finding out; research should also involve an action component that seeks to engender positive change. Participation: Research is a participatory process that requires the equal and collaborative involvement of the ‘community of research interest’. 1 WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp.indd 1 8/9/09 9:06:22 AM it is particularly suited to practitioner based research. For example. of power from the researcher to the community of interest is a central element of the research method. The requirement for equal and open collaboration between researcher and research community is central to participatory action research. Or as Whyte puts it. particularly those coming from more qualitative paradigms. or the subject group.indd 2 8/9/09 9:06:22 AM . PAR: A methodology rather than a method The components of participatory action research make it different from other social research methods. More particularly. The diffusion. Its qualities of being both an active research practice and one based on the principles of democracy are what draw many social science researchers to PAR. who are the owners and instigators of the research rather than the researcher. Within participatory action research the researcher is the tool for facilitating change.2 Part 5: Other Social Research Methods In other words. Because of its focus on problem solving. within this collaboration it is the researched. or even relocation. PAR comes with its own in-built value system (axiology) and way of perceiving the reality of an issue or problem (ontology) and values the knowledges and knowledge systems of the community of research interest above others. Using participatory action research The use of participatory action research for social research in Australia is rapidly rising. the researcher has the role of research coach (1991:40). a local community welfare agency uses PAR at their regular staff Social Research Methods WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. rather than the owner. As such. thereby exhibiting a specific epistemology. participatory action research as a research method/methodology is characterised by the strong and active involvement and high degree of participation of those with the research objective (Whyte 1991). by its collaborative and participatory nature. PAR is: • • • a form of applied research: the research is intended to have some real world effect increasingly popular: at the trendy end of the research method spectrum guided by a research topic/question that emerges from the community of interest. As such. In the words of Rapoport (1970:1 cited in Robson 1993:438): ‘Action research aims to contribute to both the practical concerns of people in an immediate problematic situation and to the goals of social science by joint collaboration within a mutually acceptable framework’. theorise and propose solutions. PAR moves right away from the idea of the ‘outside expert’ coming into a community to examine. director and expert in the research project. They also delineate PAR as more of a methodology rather than a method (see chapter 1). It cannot be imposed or diagnosed from outside. The following diagram summarises how PAR operates in an iterative.indd 3 8/9/09 9:06:22 AM . rather than diagnosis and imposition from outside. makes participatory action research a social research method far more amenable to Indigenous research paradigms and Indigenous research agendas. especially around improving teaching and learning practice. cyclical mode.1: The iterative cycle of participatory action research (PAR) Maggie Walter WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. Participatory action research is also widely used in educational research. That is. Observation Action Action Observation Action Cycle continues until issue is resolved or agreed by all parties Observation Initial planning Issue Reflection– informed planning Reflection– informed planning Figure 21. Rather than taking a standard linear model of research. it is those who have the problem or desire the objective that must decide what the problem or objective is and that they want to achieve some change. Putting PAR into place Although theoretical insights are gained through research practice. The action part of PAR is situational in that attempts to resolve the problem or achieve the objectives are also located within and with the community of interest. The internal development and ownership of the research. observing and reflecting. participatory action research is a primary method in much contemporary Indigenous research focused on solving problems at the community level. PAR is essentially applied research.Chapter 21: Participatory Action Research 3 meetings as the base for working through work-related problems. Because of its problem solving aims and its community locus of control. working its way through various iterations of planning. participatory action research is cyclic. Starting with the PAR problem An essential element of PAR is that the problem that needs solving or the objective that needs reaching must arise from the community of interest. acting. The cyclical nature of PAR is its fundamental process feature (Wadsworth 1998). especially by the researcher. The researcher is being recruited to work on a cooperative project between the Yorta Yorta National Aboriginal Corporation and the Friends of the Earth Melbourne–Barmah Social Research Methods WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. Initial collaboration takes place between the community of research interest and the researcher and planning how to tackle the problem then begins. The PAR process is therefore self-evaluative. The action and its outcomes are then observed again by the community of research interest and the researcher. the deeming of a problem as solved or an objective as reached is a collaborative one. observation and reflection. involving a constant evaluation of its process and modifications to adjust the research problem articulation and research practice. then these outcomes are taken into consideration in the planning of new or different action in the next cycle of planning action. building on this initial success. For broader community social research. From method to practice The methodological nature of participatory action research limits its full applicability in broad social research. In the real world of social research practice.4 Part 5: Other Social Research Methods The cycle takes the following steps: • • • • • • A problem. The following example of PAR in action summarises a position description for a PAR coordinator. If the reflection deems the first action unsuccessful or not as successful as anticipated. action. observing and reflecting starts again. such as classrooms. As with all aspects of PAR. the new cycle of the PAR process does not repeat the old cycle. The cycle continues in as many iterations as needed to resolve the problem or reach the objective. observing and reflecting of the previous cycle inform and shape the next cycle. • • As demonstrated in the model. PAR demands that the problem or issue must emerge from the community of research interest. The final stage in the first cycle is to reflect on the action and its outcomes. The developed plan is then put into action. then the process of planning. Rather the planning. much research involving PAR takes place with discrete and limited communities.indd 4 8/9/09 9:06:23 AM . that the research is fully collaborative at all stages with the community and that the cyclical process of PAR does not finish until the problem is resolved. issue. or desire for change is identified by the community of research interest. If this reflection leads to an assessment that the first action step was effective. acting. These requirements are problematic and often unfeasible. It is much easier to locate literature that discusses how to undertake PAR or the principles of PAR than it is to find literature reporting a completed PAR project. meeting minutes. Its proponents see this radical shift away from ‘standard’ research practice as providing huge research benefits. These benefits accrue at both a practical expertise and theoretical level. It is argued that when the researcher and community of interest work together in a Maggie Walter WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. Participatory action research position roles > > > > > Ensure project objectives are met by clearly communicating community engagement principles and practice (including PAR) develop and maintain relationships with Yorta Yorta family group and other Yorta Yorta groups organise. by organising workshops and facilitating Yorta Yorta nation members to illustrate their interests and capacity to work on country. the problem—developing a partnership model for joint management of traditional Yorta Yorta lands and waters by Yorta Yorta people and the Victorian State Government—has emerged from the Yorta Yorta people via the Yorta Yorta National Aboriginal Corporation. Evaluating participatory action research As a methodology. Position objective The PAR coordinator will assist the Yorta Yorta people to define their aspirations for ‘working on country’ and an ideal ‘joint management’ model to achieve these aspirations. conduct and facilitate workshops with Yorta Yorta family group and other Yorta Yorta groups.Chapter 21: Participatory Action Research 5 Millewa Campaign (Melbourne Friends of the Earth 2008). From method to practice Project description To develop a partnership model with the Victorian State Government to facilitate the active involvement of the Yorta Yorta people in the management of traditional lands and waters in ways that utilise Yorta Yorta knowledge and perspectives.indd 5 8/9/09 9:06:23 AM . and it claims to reconstruct both practical expertise and theoretical insights on the different basis of its own inquiry procedures (Winter 1989:2). task list develop and implement monitoring and evaluation methods and activities. participatory action research critiques the theoretical and methodological bases of conventional social research. utilising PAR techniques and tools coordinate meeting logistics: travel and accommodation. It is only after the objective has been developed that the researcher is brought in. Winter frames it this way: it challenges a scientific method of inquiry based on the authority of the outside ‘observer’ and the ‘independent’ experimenter. As can be seen from this example. such as developing a formula for unshatterable glass. The problem solving focus means that PAR is research with practical outcomes and positive change. democracy and external ownership aspects can greatly reduce the validity of the research and the rigour of the methods used. usable research outcomes. with all its complexities. PAR has been strongly criticised by other social researchers. cited in Robson 1993:440) argues that PAR’s claims. Social Research Methods WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. For example. can often be clearcut. expertise and insights develop that would not otherwise be possible. reliable.indd 6 8/9/09 9:06:23 AM . finding a resolution to a problem. • PAR is collaborative research.2. Adelman (1989. in the social world. The key question here is: when is a social problem solved? In the natural sciences. Involving the community of research interest with the research objective aids in producing practical outcomes that are workable. In turn. scientific. The essential critique here is that PAR might be seen more as an ideology of how research should be undertaken— that is. a methodology or a paradigm—rather than a practical research method. however. which tend to be timed undertakings with clear start and stop periods. the iterations of PAR continue until the problem is resolved.1: Advantages and disadvantages of participatory action research (PAR) Advantages of PAR • PAR is applied research. The strengths and weaknesses of PAR are summarised in box 21. valid. these insights and access to broader expertise provide for more workable and innovative problem solutions. Box 21. • PAR is committed research. Conceivably. The commitment of the community of interest enables the research project to access community understanding. However. Another criticism centres on what is perceived as a moralising tone in PAR’s methodology. and question whether PAR methods lead to good. These criticisms tend to focus on how its participation. The other difficult issue for PAR is the research end date. knowledge and collective memory.6 Part 5: Other Social Research Methods collaborative and participatory way. this process could repeat forever. of being an ‘alternative research paradigm. Unlike most other research methods. as a democratising force and means of achieving informed. defining a problem is often difficult enough without also having to decide unequivocally that the problem is resolved. practical change arising from issues at the grass roots are overbearing’. has no set end date. • PAR usually has no timeline. or when has the process become ineffectual? Maggie Walter WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. The community locus of control leads to the identification of problems that are important to the community. The question then becomes: how do we know when a problem is resolved. The process. by its nature. • PAR may be impractical. The group involvement and democratic processes may lead to competing research agendas. not diagnosed from outside. Categorising a group with a shared interest or problem as a ‘community’ does not automatically result in a consensus on what the problem is and how it might best be addressed. Disadvantages of PAR • PAR has no research leader.Chapter 21: Participatory Action Research 7 • PAR originates with the researched.indd 7 8/9/09 9:06:23 AM . Reason. London: Falmer Press.au/files/imce/Position_Desc_YY_PAR_ Coordinator_1.8 Part 5: Other Social Research Methods References McNiff. Real World Enquiry: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers. Melbourne Friends of the Earth (2008). Robson. ‘Three Approaches to Participative Inquiry’. Action Research International. F. (1988). Position Description: Participatory Action Research Coordinator <http://www. (1991).melbourne. Y. Whyte. Paper 2. London: Sage: 261–91. Action Research. (eds). (1993).pdf>. ‘What is Participatory Action Research?’. (1989). Wadsworth. London: MacMillan Education. and Lincoln. Learning From Experience: Principles and Practice in Action-Research.foe. Oxford: Blackwell. J. W. K.indd 8 8/9/09 9:06:23 AM . (1998). R. Participatory Action Research. C. Principles and Practice. Winter. in Denzin. Y. Social Research Methods WAL_SRM2_ORC_21_3pp. R. Newbury Park: Sage. (1998).org. N. Strategies of Qualitative Research.