Understand Participatory Action Research
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Participatory action research (PAR) involves groups working together to identify issues in their community, develop and implement potential solutions, evaluate the results, and plan next steps to continuously improve conditions. The document outlines PAR methods, including cyclical processes of planning, taking action, observing outcomes, and reflecting to inform future actions. Validation of PAR occurs through self-reflection, feedback from participants and peers, and measuring changes in learners. PAR aims to enhance practices, in contrast to traditional research which seeks to test theories.
Understand Participatory Action Research
- 1. Understand Participatory Action Research (PAR) Nan Yang Doctoral School of Psychological Science and Education Nan.yang@unitn.it 09/08/2013 1PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004
- 2. Outline • What is PAR? • How to conduct PAR? • How to validate PAR? • Comparison • Summary 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 2
- 3. What is PAR • Definition – Participatory action research (PAR) or action research is a recognized form of experimental research that focuses on the effects of the researcher's direct actions of practice within a participatory community with the goal of improving the performance quality of the community or an area of concern (Wikipedia) – Action research is a form of self-reflective inquiry undertaken by participants (e.g. teachers, students or principals) in social (including educational )situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own social practices, their understanding of their practices, and the situations in which these practices are carried out. (Carr, W. , Kemmis, S., Becoming critical: education, knowledge and action. Falmer Pree 1986) 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 3
- 4. How to conduct PAR • Simple model 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 4 act observeReflect plan An example in Education practice Experience problems when my educational values are denied in practice Imagine a solution to those problems Act in the direction of the imagined solution Evaluate the outcome of the solution Modify my practice, plans, ideas
- 5. How to conduct PAR • Procedures – Start small • Action research is sequential and cumulative • Small, considered steps: thrifty of people’s time, energy and motivation – Plan carefully • Start from which problem • Involve which classes/colleagues • Who will be consulted/informed • What must be set up to allow feedback and free exchange of views • What resources may be needed (tape, video recorders) 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 5
- 6. How to conduct PAR – Set a realistic time-scale • Realistic enough to cope with unpredictability – Involve others • Participants • Validators – Keep other informed • Colleagues in the department • Administrative organizer • Supervisor, tutors 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 6
- 7. How to conduct PAR – Arrange for feedback • Transcripts (validation meeting) • Regular report (verbal, written) – Organize a writing schedule • Writing is a tool for thought • Capture the action of the interludes • Provide a truer picture of the action 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 7
- 8. How to conduct PAR • Research Data Collecting – Paper and pen method • Personal field notes • Pupils’ diaries • Questionnaires – Live method • Sociometric method: analyze social relationships • Interview and discussions – Ostensive method • Slide/Tape presentation • Audiotaped interview • Videotaping the action 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 8
- 9. How to validate PAR • Self Validation – Practice as a realization of values • turn negative to positive – Intentional critical reflection • Reflect instead merely experience • Make the process public – Disciplined Inquiry • What is your concern? Why • What do you think you could do about it? • What kind of evidence could be collected for making some judgment about what is happening? • How would you collect such evidence • How could you check that your judgment about what has happened is reasonably fair and accurate? – Personal interpretations • Tacit knowledge 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 9
- 10. How to validate PAR • Peer Validation – Develop a validation group – Hold several validation meeting at critical intervals during the research study – The method of validation group: Q&A – Procedures for convening a validation group • Send them a research report • Ask them to consider the following question – Is a valid description of an educational process – Does the evidence support the claims that the researcher is making – Are there indications, critical moments, that show a living through of educational values? 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 10
- 11. How to validate PAR • Learner Validation – Record the reactions of the clients themselves – Forms of record • Written statements • Diaries • Tape or video recordings 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 11 In sum, validation are conducted through interaction.
- 12. Comparison Participatory Action Research Traditional research Question resource Practice field Researchers’ own interest Previous studies Theories Participants Researchers; Practioners Stateholders Researchers Research process Cyclic in general Research and practice are combined Linear in general Research and practice are separated Research aim To improve practice To test a theory To build a theory To explore… 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 12
- 13. Summary • PAR – Groups of people: diagnose, act to improve, measure or evaluate, then reflect and plan for next steps – Work progresses in cycles – Improve practice through continual systematic research 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 13
- 14. Thank you 09/08/2013 PRIN 09 - prot.20094E7SMX_004 14