CHAPTER 9: PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH

Principles of Participatory Action Research
1.      The methods used in participatory action research have direct bearing on the beliefs and vision of the participants in the community or the masses.
2.      Participatory action research should aim for the solution of the problem in order that the concerned people in the community be benefited as soon as possible.
3.      All the participants in the research process must be involved in the formulation of the problem to its solution conceptualization and implementation.
4.      The members of the research team should be made up of the researchers and the people representing the elements of the situation.
5.      The research participants should be viewing the research process as a total community experience where community needs are established and awareness and commitment within the community are increased.
6.      The research participants should see the research process as a dialogue over time and not a static picture occurring from one point in time.
7.      The aim of the research process, like the aim of the educational process, should be the liberation of the creative potential of human beings and harnessing of human resources in order to solve social problems.
Characteristics of Participatory Action Research
1.      People-oriented
2.      Community involvement
3.      Group-research
4.      Big crowd
5.      Political involvement
Framework of Participatory Action Research
1.      The identification of the problem and the community
2.      Statement of goals/objectives
3.      Identification of participants
4.      Organization of research team
5.      Establishment of timetable
6.      Conduct of the research project
7.      Evaluation of results
8.      Interpretation of findings
9.      Implications/Recommendations
10.  Implementation
Advantages of Participatory Action Research
1.      Research participants increase their knowledge and ideas as well as valid analysis of social reality, thus, more relevant solutions are achieved.
2.      Both researchers and subjects of the study gain more from the research process when the researchers attain greater sensitivity and self-awareness of the problems.
3.      The subjects of the study gain trust and self-confidence on their own rate and resources to improve their condition.
4.      Good relationship can be developed among the research team, research participants and the people in the community.
5.      Humanistic approach is enhanced through involvement of everyone in solving social problems.
Disadvantages of Participatory Action Research
1.      It is time consuming because it takes time to involve many people in conducting the research.
2.      It is difficult to gather people and manage to attend the general assembly due to a large number of people involved.
3.      When the research team back-out while the research process is going on, a new team is created and therefore you have to start all over again.
4.      The research team may use their power to personal needs and most of the benefits go to them.
5.      Politicians who get involved in the research process may use traditional techniques and the said technique may prevail.
6.      Abuse of discretion by the research team may be practiced due to too much trust and confidence by the research participants and subjects of the study to them and they do not check and balance their activities.
7.      With full people’s participation, factors such as experiences, educational qualifications, socioeconomic status, knowledge, abilities and skills will affect the benefit of the participants.