Participatory Action Research (PAR)

According to O'Brien (1998) some of the common research methods used in PAR include qualitative methods common other forms of interpretivist approaches. Such method include:

• research journal


• document collection and analysis


• participant observation recordings


• questionnaire surveys


• structured and unstructured interviews, and


• case studies.

In addition O'Brien (1998) cites a method unique to PAR - the Search Conference.

Eric Trist sums up the process quite nicely -

"Searching...is carried out in groups which are composed of the relevant stakeholders. The group meets under social island conditions for 2-3 days, sometimes as long as five. The opening sessions are concerned with elucidating the factors operating in the wider contextual environment - those producing the meta-problems and likely to affect the future. The content is contributed entirely by the members. The staff are facilitators only. Items are listed in the first instance without criticism in the plenary session and displayed on flip charts which surround the room. The material is discussed in greater depth in small groups and the composite picture checked out in plenary. The group next examines its own organizational setting or settings against this wider background and then proceeds to construct a picture of a desirable future. It is surprising how much agreement there often is. Only when all this has been done is consideration given to action steps..."[ix]

A menu of methods

• Find and critically review secondary data.


• Observe directly


• Seek those who are experts about specific issues.


• Key probes


• Case studies and stories:


• Groups (casual or random encounter; focus; representative or structured for diversity; community, neighbourhood or a specific social group; or formal).


• Group interviews


• Do-it-yourself: Roles of expertise are reversed, with local people as experts, and outsiders as clumsy novices. Local people supervise and teach skills allowing others to leam about their realities, needs and priorities.


• Mapping and modelling


• Local analysis of secondary sources


• Transect walks


• Timelines and trend and change analysis


• Seasonal calendars


• Institutional or Venn diagraming.


• Wellbeing grouping


• Matrix scoring and ranking:


• Team contracts and interactions


• Contrast comparisons

Kaye Seymour-Rolls & Ian Hughes, 1995, 2000 Participatory Action Research: Getting the Job Done

Can it be argued that the research methods for PAR are:

• plan


• act


• reflect

Tamara A. Baker and Caroline C. Wang 2006 Photovoice: Use of a Participatory Action Research Method to Explore the Chronic Pain Experience in Older Adults Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 16, No. 10, 1405-1413 SAGE Publications

Photovoice is a participatory action research method in which individuals photograph their everyday health and work realities. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of photovoice as a unique and innovative method

ACTION RESEARCH RESOURCES LIST

Participant Selection and Informed Consent

Action Research Resources