Participatory Action Research: Ethics and Decolonization

Participatory Action Research (PAR) involves participants as co-researchers to generate new knowledge and act on findings to effect social change. This book synthesizes key learnings in contemporary research with a focus on the challenging aspects of undertaking PAR in practice and strategies to address these. It provides practical and contextual examples and presents key pointers on the implications of PAR methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and strategies for the field.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 13 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Participatory Action Research (PAR) is a research approach that prioritizes the active involvement of participants as co-researchers in the generation of new knowledge and the implementation of findings to bring about social change. In PAR projects, academic researchers work closely with co-researchers, recognizing their potential to contribute meaningfully to research endeavors, particularly those individuals who may be marginalized from traditional institutions. By embracing a participatory approach, PAR seeks to achieve social justice outcomes in addition to addressing research questions.

When conducted ethically in collaboration with co-researchers, PAR's participatory element fosters a bottom-up approach, where knowledge is co-created through grassroots or community-based activities. This book goes beyond a mere PAR how-to manual, offering a comprehensive synthesis of key learnings from contemporary research with a specific emphasis on the challenging aspects of implementing PAR in practice. It provides a clear and user-friendly compilation of practical and contextual examples, along with insightful pointers on the implications of PAR methods, their strengths, and weaknesses. These examples serve as valuable resources for critical class discussions and can also assist in anticipating fieldwork pitfalls and addressing challenges through collaborative approaches.

By engaging participants as co-researchers and adopting a participatory approach, PAR empowers individuals and communities to actively shape the research process and contribute to the development of knowledge and solutions that address social and environmental issues. It recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and experiences and promotes a sense of ownership and agency in the pursuit of social change. Through PAR, researchers can foster meaningful partnerships, build capacity, and create long-lasting impacts that contribute to a more equitable and just society.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 255 x 178 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197644966