Participatory Action Research: Psychology and Social Change

Abstract

Participatory Action Research provides psychologists with a way of putting their skills and training to work in support of positive social change while still contributing to the important work of knowledge generation within the field. This article summarizes the development of Participatory Action Research and reviews the theoretical justification for this practice as a valid form of social research. The basic tenets and practices of this approach are discussed and the potential role of Participatory Action Research in psychology is considered.

Conducting community‐based participatory research in an urban Malaysian community: Lessons learned and challenges in establishing partnerships

“…Many current concepts and discussions on community‐based participatory research have been mainly modelled by researchers from high income nations (Brydon‐Miller, ; Liu et al, ). Knowledge of cross‐cultural adaptation of community‐based participatory research among lower‐ and middle‐income nations needs to be expanded (Balakrishnan & Claiborne, ; Binns & Lee, ; Brydon‐Miller, ; Cheung, ).…”

“…A trusting relationship is valued in upholding the partnerships between different parties. The emergent nature of participatory research is respected (Brydon-Miller, 1997;Brydon-Miller, Greenwood, & Maguire, 2003;Freire, 1972;Hall, 1992;Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998;Lewin, 1946;Maguire, 1987;Minkler & Wallerstein, 2008;Reason & Bradbury, 2008). These core principles are community-centred where the concerns of the community are prioritized and capacity building is emphasized.…”

“…Although a handful of studies in health care and education have utilized participatory research (Crabtree, Wong, & Mas'ud, 2001;Meerah & Osman, 2013;Puteh-behak, 2014;Townsend, 2001), discussions on cross-cultural implementations of community-based participatory research principles in establishing partnerships are rare (Kim, 1997). Many current concepts and discussions on community-based participatory research have been mainly modelled by researchers from high income nations (Brydon-Miller, 1997;Liu et al, 2011). Knowledge of cross-cultural adaptation of community-based participatory research among lower-and middle-income nations needs to be expanded (Balakrishnan & Claiborne, 2016;Binns & Lee, 2015;Brydon-Miller, 1997;Cheung, 2012).…”

“…Many current concepts and discussions on community-based participatory research have been mainly modelled by researchers from high income nations (Brydon-Miller, 1997;Liu et al, 2011). Knowledge of cross-cultural adaptation of community-based participatory research among lower-and middle-income nations needs to be expanded (Balakrishnan & Claiborne, 2016;Binns & Lee, 2015;Brydon-Miller, 1997;Cheung, 2012). This paper focuses on how partnerships are established to involve community participation between an urban residential community and an academic institution of Malaysia, in a hierarchical multi-ethnic society such as Malaysia.…”

Mentoring partnerships in science education

“…Although various definitions of AR exist, all revolve around the three key concepts of democratic participation, social justice, and community empowerment (Brydon-Miller 1997;DePalma & l. Teague 2008;Somekh & Zeichner 2009;Zeni 1998). In the context of AR, democratic participation refers to the practice of allowing the participants themselves to have a voice in the subject matter being studied, and in the progress of the study itself.…”