Archive for 2012 Apr

1. Understand Participatory
Action Research (PAR)
Nan Yang
Doctoral School of Psychological Science and Education
Nan.yang@unitn.it
09/08/2013
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2. Outline
• What is PAR?
• How to conduct PAR?
• How to validate PAR?
• Comparison
• Summary
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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)
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4. How to conduct PAR
• Simple model
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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11. How to validate PAR
• Learner Validation
– Record the reactions of the clients themselves
– Forms of record
• Written statements
• Diaries
• Tape or video recordings
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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…
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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
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14. Thank you
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