Participatory Action Research
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Abstract
Participatory Action research is different from most other forms of research as it is based on data collection, reflection, and actions that focus on improving community aspects and reduce inequalities by involving the people, who, in turn, strive to improve these aspects. Besides, PAR has several antecedents. According to Payne (2017), it mirrors questioning on the nature of knowledge and the magnitude on which the knowledge can present the needs of the powerful and strive to reinforce their needs in society. Baum, MacDougall, and Smith (2016) claim that it also affirms based on understanding and that experiential study can drive to a legitimate dichotomy of knowledge that influences the practice. This essay analysis scholarly journal articles on participatory action research since they are highly reliable to clarify crucial concept associated with the research methodology. Over the recent, participatory action research has grown as a methodology enabling scholars to work in partnership with communities in a procedure that lead to action for change.
Keywords: Community, Participatory Action Research.
Introduction
The main objective of participatory action research is to understand and improve the community by changing it and at its heart is a collective, self-reflection inquiry that scholars and participants undertake for them to understand, act and improve the practices which they participate in and the settings they find themselves. Therefore, the reflection procedure is directly linked to action; the actions influenced by understanding culture, history, and the societal context embedded in social relationships. Payne (2017) claims that this procedure should be empowering and should lead to the community, having increased control over their lives.
Research Methodology
A research methodology is a plan of action or strategy that shapes researchers’ choice and use of methods that link them to their desired outcomes. Unlike a decade ago, when epidemiological methods were viewed as the only gold standard in community-based research projects, most of the modern-day scholars agree that useful community-based research projects require methodological pluralism (Jacobs, 2016). Moreover, participatory action research draws on the paradigm of constructivism and critical theory and uses a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods. For example, a participatory needs assessment will include extensive engagements with the local community such as a survey of residents less centrally engaged in the participatory procedure
Application of Participatory Action Research in Health
Recently, participatory action research is employed more frequently on mental health research in developed countries, such as in response to survivors’ movements and demand for a voice in running and planning services to stimulate choices and alternative forms of treatment. Powell and Taylor (2017) suggest that participatory action research principles form the basis of community empowerment evaluation, which claims that the evaluation of health promotion must include those whose health is will be promoted. However, although there have been debates on the distinctiveness of empowerment evaluation, it perhaps desires to build capacity, be more democratic, make evaluations fewer experts driven, and encourage self-determination.
Another example of a participatory action research application is the works to support men’s self-help groups to evaluate, plan, and implement their activities in the remote aboriginal Australian community. With research team support, community members are acting as researchers by exploring the issues of priorities affecting their lives, producing knowledge, understanding their resources as well as taking strategic actions to enhance their situation (Baum et al., 2016). The participants see the ongoing action participatory action research procedure on reflection actions that include participant’s observations, in-depth interviews, informal discussions, and feedback as a contribution to their self-reported increased sense of self-awareness, hope for the future and self-confidence.
The primary reason why these researchers decided to employ participation action is due to the underlying assumption that effective community change depends on the understanding and commitments of these involved in the change procedure. In short, the community works together on a common good, negotiating, and clarifying ideas and concerns, and they are likely to change their minds if the joint discussions conclude such changes are necessary. Moreover, they suggest that such collaborations provide the community with more support and time needed to make the necessary changes in community practices, which go much deeper than the research process (Powell & Taylor 2017; Baum et al., 2016). Nevertheless, their most essential role is to work with the community in multiple interests and perspectives, develop participation attitude, excitement, and the need to work as a group on a jointly negotiated course of action and bring development and innovation for community benefit.
Conclusion
As evident, the participatory action research approach allows the research team to learn, discuss and reflect on a community-based perspective, the issues affecting the people in a community resulting in a broadened perspective far from the scope of any other single research methodology. However, a supportive and cohesive team should consistently work adjustments under this methodology to improve understanding and knowledge shared or gained. It is also crucial for the researchers to be cognizant and learn from potential within the community and research teams because of the juxtaposed methodologies, philosophies, and experiences for the team to function efficiently and achieve positive outcomes.
References
Baum, F., MacDougall, C., & Smith, D. (2016). Participatory action research. Journal of epidemiology and community health, 60(10), 854.
Jacobs, S. (2016). The Use of Participatory Action Research within Education–Benefits to Stakeholders. World Journal of Education, 6(3), 48-55.
Payne, Y. A. (2017). Participatory action research. The Wiley‐Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory, 1-15.
Powell, J., & Taylor, P. (2017). The “Insiders World”: Participatory Action Research and Mental Health–The New Foundation of Social Inquiry. Journal of Biomedical Research and Practice, 1(1), 1-9.