Research Methods Guide: Participatory Action Research (PAR)
SaveThroughout your education, you have most likely taken a social science class and learned about different research methods. What was most likely not emphasized during your classes is that these research methods are conducted on the community and people you are researching.
Throughout your education, you have most likely taken a social science class and learned about different types of research methods. These different methods most likely included a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches such as experiments, surveys, interviews, ethnography, and others. What was most likely not emphasized during your classes is that these research methods are conducted on the community and people you are researching. Most of these research methods involve a level of detachment — either an outsider observes a phenomenon or introduces a new variable to see the results or change. While the scientific method often prioritizes an "unbiased" approach to research, traditional research methods have historically produced several problematic practices. These include using a deficit lens on your participants, findings, and analysis, not asking the right questions, conducting research that doesn't actually serve the intended population, and exploiting your research participants for your own academic or professional gain.
One research method that actually conducts research with, not on, communities is participatory action research (PAR). PAR is a research method where both trained researchers and community members alike co-construct a research project through a trusted partnership. The community members are usually the ones actually affected by the issue that is being researched. The goal of PAR is often to produce some action or change, whether it's a policy change, to spread awareness and advocacy, or to make recommendations for practice.
Though PAR isn't always an option for all researchers, especially if you are just beginning to learn about research, it's important to recognize ways in which research can either harm or empower communities. In this article, I will further define different ways of doing PAR, and the pros and cons that may arise during the process.
First and foremost, PAR is a much more equitable way of doing research with, as opposed to on, participants or a community. Every step of the research process is co-constructed with the participants or community members, including formulating the research question, deciding on data collection methods, and determining the research project's dissemination process and intended goal. Though most PAR projects are community or place-based, PAR emphasizes the assets and strengths of a community and leverages those assets to best answer the research question that will influence the community at large.
Through this co-constructed process, your research will grapple with on-the-ground questions or issues that are not just applicable to your intended population, but that would ideally make a positive impact on that population. This is different from many other research projects, which are often stuck in an "ivory tower" of other research that never touches or impacts those who are most affected by the researched problem, even if they themselves were researched -on- as part of the project.
PAR is also a great opportunity to check your positionality and privilege in the research field and world at large. PAR emphasizes lived experience as valid data and knowledge. This translates into innovative ways of collecting data, such as testimonials or photovoice, and from all kinds of participants despite their academic or professional qualifications. In fact, youth participatory action research (YPAR) is another research method that can be used for research that focuses on and impacts youth. YPAR involves trusting adult-youth partnerships, showing youth how to use their voices for issues that are important to them, and learning the basics of conducting research.
Lastly, PAR projects at their core often have a social justice orientation. The point of a PAR project is to take action on an issue that affects a marginalized community, as defined by that community. PAR projects usually have an action-oriented goal in mind that would directly benefit the community you're doing research with. This is important as marginalized communities often don't have a voice in policies and practices (including other research projects) that affect them. PAR seeks to give marginalized community members the tools to investigate issues in their own community and create awareness and push for advocacy to change those issues in their own terms.
However, PAR work is not easy. As opposed to other research methods, PAR projects often have a much longer timeline. You need time to build and create trust with the community members, and you need to go at the pace of these community members. Logistics and other priorities in their lives might take precedence over the research. You will need to be flexible and patient about the research timeline and process, as these obstacles will be out of your control. Further, despite the creative and innovative data collection methods you might employ, they might not be as easily measurable to present to other communities or governing bodies to which you are trying to persuade to make change. Finally, while the research team may work hard to create change in their community, these policy and practice changes are often in the hands of more powerful actors and ultimately out of your control.
While PAR requires more work, time, and flexibility compared to other more structured research projects, it is a more equitable and impactful approach to research. While PAR may not be a feasible choice in your work, especially if you are just starting to learn about research, some of the innovative and more inclusive research methods I reviewed above could be incorporated into your work.
In every case, trust is essential in PAR. Marginalized communities have the right to be wary of researchers and their intentions. Be sure to check your privilege and positionality throughout the entire PAR process — community members have just as important of a voice in the research that affects them, if not more.
Finally, Berkeley YPAR hub is a great resource to use for a PAR project. Though it is geared towards adult-youth relationships, most resources address all stages of a research project that are applicable to all types of PAR projects. However, there is no clearly defined guidebook or approach for all PAR projects. The beauty of PAR is that the process is built around the needs and desires of the community, and there is no predicting where the project will take you.
Melissa Ortiz
Melissa has ten years of experience working in research and administration in several nonprofits and higher education institutions. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and her M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.Articles & Advice
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