The power of an idea put to action

Participatory Action Research (PAR) was described by Hall in 1981 as a process of research, education and action. Researchers and participants take on an active role in addressing issues that affect themselves, their families, and their communities (Brydon-Miller, 1997). When officially carrying out a PAR progression, Maguire relates his model to earlier work by Fernandes and Tandon, adapting a model that begins with an established relationship built off mutual trust and commitment held by all members. Process participation relies strongly on responsibility for the design of the research, data collection, data analysis and the development and implementation of the change (Brydon-Miller, 1997).
The institute of Development Studies provides an excellent website explaining participatory research with colorful tabs indicating how to get started. The tabs include: plan, monitor and evaluate, learn and empower, research and analyses, communicate, facilitate and methods and ideas. The site’s moto provides a positive status: “people working together around the world to generate ideas and action for social change (PRC/IDS website).” I like how the site not only explains steps in participatory research but welcomes ideas and input for future pages. The site provides real examples for action research including Accountable Aid, Facilitating workshops, Community Art projects, Poverty Assessment and many others. I think this website provides a perfect example for interested future members or for anyone discovering information on established participatory research.
When reviewing the participatory methods website, I decided to click on an established action plan to get a better idea of the process. I chose the first plan, accountable aid. This plan indicates, a need for accountability of aid for citizens for various reasons, such as natural disasters, violent conflicts, or corruption. This action plan helps to narrow gaps working alongside or separate from the government. These types of programs are subject to monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and reporting in order to carry out the intended goal for aid (PRC/IDS website). This action plan appears to carry out the several methods of progression for action, especially indicating responsibility and reassurance for those receiving aid to use it for its intended purposes. I believe this type of action plan is similar to what we recently received in the United States with the stimulus, due to the effect of covid19. These types of actions plans are essential to help the country move forward in difficult times.
In conclusion, I feel Participatory Action Research is beneficial for advancement and growth in community and society. I can understand how action plans can also be challenging do to commitment and development over time. I believe participants in participatory action research would acquire a great sense of achievement if an idea became an established change for the better of the community. Hard work, dedication and determination for moving forward and created good is a noble feature of PAR, that I believe takes a special group of individuals to carry out its intended purpose.

Brydon-Miller, Mary. Participatory Action Research: Psychology and Social Change. Journal of Social Issues. 53(4). Winter 1997. pp. 657-666.
Institution of Development Studies and Participation, Inclusion and Social change. https://www.participatorymethods.org/

2 comments

  1. Trevor Jay Zimmerman

    I appreciate the thought you put into this post. I having known someone who worked in the prison system know how difficult it is for reformation. There are many, not enough, but many reformative programs that are included in the criminal justice program, but they are all underfunded or the offenders have no interest in participating.
    Reducing the rate of recidivism is the ultimate goal of the criminal justice system however the cost and effectiveness of reformation, education, and information is not something that the prison system can withstand. The prisons are overcrowded, and underfunded leaving little to no room for appropriate classroom educations, counseling, and therapy that is needed for effective reformation.
    One important and relevant thing that is coming out of the prison systems is the opportunity for the offenders to learn job skills and other important skills needed for their reintegration into society. Offenders are learning job skills; such as woodwork, technical work, mechanics, as well as interviewing skills. The offenders who wish to take part and participate in these programs and classes have a higher success rate and a reduced chance of recommitting a crime in the future. Getting the offenders more involved in how to make their life after release better, profitable and successful, in a legal way is the offenders best chance to be reformed and contributing member of society.

  2. I appreciated getting to read about the action plans proposed on their website and the inclusion of a description of participatory action research. Analyzing one of their plans deeper allowed me to see how their work impacts actual legislation. The relation of these action plans to the current COVID-19 stimulus packages was a nice touch, and brought the relevancy of these types of plans into reality. Additionally, the inclusion of teaching materials (descriptions of how action research functions, how to go about performing this type of research) was enlightening as the site not only supports their own research organization, but puts efforts towards promoting this type of research in general.
    Analyzing more of their various plans would be a welcome addition to this post as well. Perhaps analyzing two or three of their other plans could help the audience gain a greater understanding of the various types of policies proposed by the organization. Furthermore, an outside perspective on the resources associated with this site would be helpful. Many studies are listed within this section pertaining to research performed using the methods listed, however outside verification regarding the efficacy of these studies and their proposed interventions would be very helpful.

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